Courts / Dublin / Report
Burglar went on crime spree within 500m of his own home
Summary
Patrick Joyce, 30, of Balbriggan, pleaded guilty to two burglary counts and one assault causing harm. The incidents occurred within 500 metres of his home on 7 and 8 March 2024. A neighbour heard a noise, chased Joyce, and recorded him; a bar manager reported Joyce taking a bottle of vodka; and a man was punched by Joyce after a confrontation at his front door. CCTV footage confirmed the assault. Joyce denied the offences but was arrested at 1 a.m. and later admitted guilt. He has 12 prior convictions. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to two years' imprisonment for the burglary and two years for the assault, to run concurrently, with the final six months suspended for one year. The sentence was back‑dated to include time already served.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Burglar went on crime spree within 500m of his own home. Charges or matters: two counts of burglary and one count of assault causing harm in the Balbriggan area on March 7 and 8, 2024. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 7 Incident
- March 8 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2024-11-28 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: two counts of burglary and one count of assault causing harm in the Balbriggan area on March 7 and 8, 2024 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The judge said these were not sophisticated incidents but outlined that "having someone in your house at night must have been a terrifying ordeal." Judge Crowe sentenced Joyce to two years in prison for the burglary in the domestic setting and two years in prison for assault causing harm, both to run concurrently. She suspended the final six months of the sentence for one year.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- and brought to Balbriggan Garda Station
- Balbriggan
Topics
Burglary Stage Sentence Violent Crime
Related court reports
- 'Brilliant law academic' who stabbed elderly father to death found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity
- Son who stabbed father to death retains 'full love and support' of family, insanity trial hears
- 'He told me he loved me, but I just kept stabbing him' - lawyer on trial accused of murdering father
- Mentally ill man who received suspended sentence for harassing barrister contacted her within days of release, court hears
- Former solicitor at prestigious firm pleads not guilty to murdering father by reason of insanity
- Offenders who assaulted Quham Babatunde during St Valentine's day violence get five years
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request