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Jail for burglar who targeted churches and schools
Summary
James Byrne, 43, of Crumlin, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to burglary of Drimnagh Castle Primary School, St Agnes Church, Assumption Church, and St Mark's Junior School between 3 and 13 October 2014, and to criminal damage at St Mark's Junior School. He was already serving a suspended sentence for earlier burglaries when these offences occurred. Judge Catherine Murphy imposed a one‑year jail term, suspending the final year of a two‑year sentence on the condition that Byrne keeps the peace and engages with drug‑addiction services. Byrne admitted stealing €56 from St Agnes Church, €200–€300 from Assumption Church, and causing €3,500 of damage at St Mark's Junior School, but claimed he took no items during the burglaries. He apologized for locking an 80‑year‑old man in the church. The court noted his 26 previous convictions, including five burglaries and three aggravated burglaries.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail for burglar who targeted churches and schools. Charges or matters: burglary at Drimnagh Castle Primary School; St Agnes Church, Crumlin; Assumption Church, Walkinstown, and St Mark's Junior School, Tallaght on dates from October 3 to 13 2014; criminal damage at St Mark's Junior School. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 3 Incident
- October 5, 2014 Incident
- October 13, 2014 Other
- October 3 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 12 2014 Incident
- 2015-07-29 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: burglary at Drimnagh Castle Primary School; St Agnes Church, Crumlin; Assumption Church, Walkinstown, and St Mark's Junior School, Tallaght on dates from October 3 to 13 2014; criminal damage at St Mark's Junior School (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was serving a suspended sentence for burglaries when he committed these offences.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Theft
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