Courts / Cork / Report
12-year sentence upheld for burglary gang getaway driver who targeted elderly mass-goers
Summary
The Court of Appeal upheld a 12‑year sentence for John Faulkner, a getaway driver in a burglary gang that targeted elderly homes during mass. Faulkner, aged 40, was convicted of burglary, dangerous driving and endangerment. The judge imposed 12 years for burglary, two years for endangerment and six months for dangerous driving, and disqualified him from driving for 20 years. The appeal argued the sentence was disproportionate compared to co‑accused sentences of nine years with two suspended, but the appellate court held the 12‑year term reflected the totality of offences. The case involved a robbery at a home in Freemont, Charleville, where Faulkner drove the getaway vehicle, pursued by Gardaí, before crashing into a Garda car. The appeal was dismissed. John Faulkner pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 12-year sentence upheld for burglary gang getaway driver who targeted elderly mass-goers. Charges or matters: all charges. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- October 19, 2019 Incident
- April 2021 Incident
- 2022-12-15 Publication
Why: Faulkner was also disqualified for driving for 20 years, with Judge Ó Donnabháin saying that the accused had "manically" driven away from gardaí in a dangerous manner in order to evade arrest. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: all charges (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: He furthermore sentenced Faulkner to two years for the endangerment offence and to six months for the dangerous driving offence. In appealing the sentence, Faulkner's lawyers argued that the sentence was disproportionate when two of his co-accused had been sentenced to nine years with two suspended, notwithstanding their guilty pleas.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Cork
- Cork Circuit Criminal Court
- Adelaide Place
- Cork
Topics
Burglary Road Traffic Stage Appeal Theft
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