Courts / Dublin / Report
Addiction studies diploma holder robbed same church three times
Summary
David Carroll, 48, of Dublin 2, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to five offences committed between December 2023 and April 2024: three thefts at St Francis Xavier Church on Gardiner Street, one theft at Erin College on North Great George Street, and one burglary of an apartment in Dublin City Centre. CCTV footage identified him at each incident. The court heard that Carroll's motivation was to fund a drug habit, and that he had previously received a diploma in addiction studies from Dublin Business School. He had 30 prior convictions and had become homeless after his hostel was raided. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to three years' imprisonment, back‑dated to his arrest on 29 April 2024, and suspended the final six months for 12 months, placing him under Probation Services for 12 months. The sentence was imposed after Carroll's guilty pleas, admissions, cooperation with Gardaí, and a letter of apology were considered mitigating factors.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Addiction studies diploma holder robbed same church three times. Charges or matters: three counts of theft at St Francis Xavier Church on Gardiner Street, one count of theft at Erin College, North Great George Street and one count of burglary from an apartment in Dublin City Centre. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 2023 Incident
- April 2024 Incident
- March 8, 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 13 Other
- April 16, 2024 Other
- April 29, 2024 Incident
- 2024-12-06 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: three counts of theft at St Francis Xavier Church on Gardiner Street, one count of theft at Erin College, North Great George Street and one count of burglary from an apartment in Dublin City Centre (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Crowe said that this offending "will have to have a custodial sentence" and sentenced him to three years in prison, which she backdated to when he went into custody in April of this year. The judge said, "the court will give him some light at the end of the tunnel", and suspended the final six months of his sentence for 12 months.
Places mentioned
- Dorset Lane
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Gardiner Street
- North Great George Street
Topics
Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Theft
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