Courts / Dublin / Report
Burglar jailed for injuring woman (80) while pushing his way into her home
Summary
James Maloney, 44, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm and attempted theft at an 80‑year‑old woman's home in Santry on 1 February 2023. He has 38 prior convictions. The Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, presided by Judge Elma Sheahan, found the private dwelling and victim's age aggravating, but noted Maloney's guilty plea, duress to pay a drug debt, remorse and apology as mitigating. He was sentenced to four years for the attempted burglary and two years and four months for the assault, both to run concurrently. The judge suspended the final six months of the sentence for six months. Maloney had been homeless and a drug user at the time, had admitted the offence, expressed remorse, and was engaged in a methadone programme. The victim suffered head, arm and hand injuries and had to wait over 12 hours in A&E. The court heard a victim impact statement and a letter of apology from Maloney.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Burglar jailed for injuring woman (80) while pushing his way into her home. Charges or matters: assault causing harm and attempting to commit theft at a property in Santry on February 1, 2023. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 1, 2023 Incident
- 2024-03-21 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assault causing harm and attempting to commit theft at a property in Santry on February 1, 2023 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The judge said this was a mid-level offence and sentenced Maloney to four years in prison on the attempted burglary charge and two years and four months for the assault causing harm charge. Judge Sheahan said that from letters handed into the court, she could see that Maloney is making efforts to rehabilitate and would suspend the final six months of his sentence for six months.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Mellows Park
- Dublin
- Mater Hospital
- He later attended Ballymun Garda Station
- Ballymun
Topics
Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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