Courts / Dublin / Report

Knife-wielding burglar forced way into home of woman and autistic child

Summary

Daniel Kelly, 36, of Tallaght, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for aggravated burglary after he forced his way into a Dublin home on 6 July 2024. He entered the house armed with a large kitchen knife, threatened to stab the homeowner, and demanded money. The victim, a woman with an autistic child, was terrified; the child was present and distressed. Kelly handed over €20 and a box of cigarettes before fleeing with his former partner, who had knocked on the door under the pretense of selling clothes. Kelly, who has 71 prior convictions, claimed he was under the influence of crack cocaine and heroin at the time. He pleaded guilty, and the judge noted his difficult childhood, guilty plea, and drug rehabilitation efforts as mitigating factors. The judge imposed a four‑year, six‑month sentence, suspending the final nine months under conditions. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Knife-wielding burglar forced way into home of woman and autistic child. Charges or matters: one count of aggravated burglary at an address in Dublin on July 6, 2024. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• July 6, 2024 Incident
• 2025-07-15 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence

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Read the original CNI report