Courts / Dublin / Report
Garda jumped into river to catch serial burglar as 6.5-year sentence is passed
Summary
In a dramatic October morning, a Garda pursued David Paget, a 43‑year‑old serial burglar, who had broken into a family home in Dublin. Paget threw a shovel through the front window of the occupied house and attempted to flee. The Garda, Detective Shane Woods, followed him into the Tolka River and later apprehended him hiding behind shrubbery. Paget, who had 57 prior convictions, pleaded guilty to stealing a car and 11 burglaries between September 2020 and October 2023, most of which occurred in Mulhuddart, Dublin 15. Judge Orla Crowe noted that Paget had been on bail for the car theft and for several burglaries when he committed the latest offence. She accepted his cooperation, admissions, remorse, and efforts to address his addiction. The judge imposed consecutive sentences totalling seven and a half years, suspended the final year on strict conditions, and required Paget to engage with the Probation Service for 12 months upon release.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Garda jumped into river to catch serial burglar as 6.5-year sentence is passed. Charges or matters: stealing a car and 11 burglaries on dates between September 2020 and October 23, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 2020 Incident
- October 23, 2022 Incident
- October 2023 Incident
- 2023-12-05 Publication
Why: She also said the fact that a garda had to jump into a river on an October morning in order to catch Paget was a further aggravating feature. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: stealing a car and 11 burglaries on dates between September 2020 and October 23, 2022 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Taking into account the fact that Paget was on bail for the offences, Judge Crowe imposed consecutive sentences totalling seven and a half years before she suspended the final year on strict conditions including that Paget engage with the Probation Service for 12 months upon his ultimate release from custody.
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