Courts / Dublin / Report

Recidivist burglar who sold €190k worth of jewellery for €500 in heroin jailed for four years

Date
2015-02-25

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Gerry Connors, 28, was jailed for four years after a burglary in Killiney, Dublin, where he stole a safe containing €190,000 worth of jewellery and €10,000 in various currencies. He had entered the house by jumping a garden wall, smashed a window, and discovered the safe. Connors claimed he thought the jewellery was scrap and exchanged it for €500 worth of heroin. Gardaí found CCTV footage linking him to the getaway van and blood stains at the scene. He had previously committed a burglary in Shankill, stealing car keys and items worth €2,000, and had 115 prior convictions, including 90 for traffic offences and 12 for burglary. He pleaded guilty to the Killiney and Shankill burglaries in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The judge noted the extensive damage and the lack of appreciation for the value of the stolen items. The case highlighted Connors' ongoing drug habit and the role of his associates in the burglary.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Recidivist burglar who sold €190k worth of jewellery for €500 in heroin jailed for four years. Charges or matters: burglary in Shankill on April 1, 2009 and burglary in Killiney on June 16, 2009. Procedural stage: sentence

When: