Courts / Dublin / Report

On-bail burglar with over 200 priors robbed Dean of Christ Church Cathedral's residence

Date
2025-05-20

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Zachary Purcell, 36, a serial burglar with over 200 convictions, was on bail when he entered the Christ Church Deanery in Dublin 8 on 23 July 2022 during a wedding hosted by Dean Dermot Dunne. He stole an iPad, jewellery worth €2,000, and a church credit card, which he used to purchase €50 of goods. Purcell was identified through CCTV and DNA on a water bottle. He had previously pleaded guilty to a burglary at the Morgan Hotel on 9 July 2022, two weeks earlier. The court noted Purcell's long history of drug addiction and his recent rehabilitation. Judge Orla Crowe sentenced him to four and a half years' imprisonment, suspending the final 12 months under conditions. The sentence reflects the two burglaries committed while he was on bail.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: On-bail burglar with over 200 priors robbed Dean of Christ Church Cathedral's residence. Charges or matters: this burglary and another burglary offence at the Morgan Hotel, Dublin 2, on July 9, 2022 – some two weeks prior to the Christ Church offence. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

July 23, 2022 Hearing Or Sentence
July 9, 2022 Incident
2025-05-20 Publication

Why: She said she would structure the sentence in order to aid Purcell's return to society. CNI source report

Case subjects

Zachary Purcell

Defendant

Charges: this burglary and another burglary offence at the Morgan Hotel, Dublin 2, on July 9, 2022 – some two weeks prior to the Christ Church offence (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: She said she would structure the sentence in order to aid Purcell's return to society. The judge handed down a sentence of four and a half years and suspended the final 12 months on a number of conditions.