Courts / Dublin / Report

83-year-old woman hit would-be burglar with her walking stick, court hears

Summary

On 3 July 2014, 83‑year‑old Maureen Burke of Malahide Road, Clontarf, was awakened at 11 pm by the sound of a window breaking and a man speaking to himself. She left her bed, went to the upstairs landing and saw David Mantle, 37, of Crumlin, who had entered her home through the same window. Mantle, smelling of alcohol, apologized and left, claiming he had no memory of the incident. Burke struck him with a belt of her walking stick as he exited. Garda Manus Keane investigated the next day, found fingerprints on the broken window, and identified Mantle as the suspect. He was arrested and charged in January 2015 with one count of attempted burglary. At trial, Mantle pleaded guilty; he has 43 prior convictions and was described as extremely remorseful. Judge Patricia Ryan remanded him in custody until 9 November for sentencing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 83-year-old woman hit would-be burglar with her walking stick, court hears. Charges or matters: one count of attempted burglary at the home of Maureen Burke, Malahide Road, Clontarf on July 3, 2014. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial

When:

• July 3, 2014 Incident
• January 2015 Incident
• November 9 Adjournment
• 2015-07-30 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Stage Charge Or Pretrial

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Read the original CNI report