Courts / Dublin / Report
Burglar with over 200 previous convictions avoids jail for stealing exercise bike
Summary
Paul Meehan, 47, of Dublin, pleaded guilty to burglary at Fit4Less gym in Finglas on 2 May 2020 during the first Covid‑19 lockdown. A woman passing the gym at 9.30 pm on 5 May 2020 saw Meehan removing an exercise bike from the closed premises and later gave a detailed description to the Gardaí. CCTV footage, recovered from a single hard drive, showed Meehan entering the gym as the front door was open and cutting the CCTV system. He was arrested on 6 May 2020 and, after two interviews, identified himself on the footage. The bike was not recovered. Meehan has 204 prior convictions, including over 20 for burglary. The court, after considering a medical report and his engagement with mental‑health services, imposed a 16‑month prison sentence fully suspended on strict conditions, including supervision by the Probation Service. The sentence was handed by Judge Martin Nolan.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Burglar with over 200 previous convictions avoids jail for stealing exercise bike. Charges or matters: burglary at Fit4Less, Bargaintown, North Road, Finglas on May 2, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 2, 2020 Incident
- May 5, 2020 Incident
- May 6, 2020 Incident
- 2023-03-06 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: burglary at Fit4Less, Bargaintown, North Road, Finglas on May 2, 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The garda accepted that Meehan's detention was suspended following a review by a doctor. He said it would be unfair to imprison Meehan and handed him a 16-month prison sentence, suspended on strict conditions including that he place himself under the supervision of the Probation Service.
Places mentioned
- Middle Abbey Street
- Dublin
- North Road
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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