Courts / Cork / Report

Burglars who were pursued by homeowner have jail terms cut by more than half

Date
2015-06-09

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Cork City

County
Cork

Summary

Three burglars—James Cash (28), Thomas Wall (23), and William Wall (32)—were convicted at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on four burglary counts committed in Cork City on 1–2 December 2012. They had been acquitted of three other burglary counts and of possessing burglary implements. Cash received a seven‑year sentence with one year suspended; the Walls each received seven years with two years suspended. On appeal, all three had their sentences reduced. Cash was sentenced to four years with 21 months suspended, giving an effective custodial term of 3 years 9 months. The Walls each received four years with two years suspended, giving an effective custodial term of 2 years 10 months. The appeal court noted Cash's extensive prior record and the Walls' lack of significant convictions, and adjusted the starting points accordingly. The new sentences were imposed by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin on 4 February 2014.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Burglars who were pursued by homeowner have jail terms cut by more than half. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

December 1 Incident
February 4 2014 Incident
2015-06-09 Publication

Case subjects

James Cash

Convicted Person

Outcome: Cash was sentenced to seven years imprisonment with one suspended while the Walls were both sentenced to seven years imprisonment with the final two suspended by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin on February 4 2014. A new sentence of four years imprisonment with the final 21 months suspended was imposed on Cash while the Walls were both given four years with two suspended.

William Wall

Convicted Person

Outcome: Cash and William Wall lost appeals against conviction last month but all three men today successfully appealed their sentences.