Courts / Dublin / Report
Homeowner gives 'moving' evidence of looking late-night trespassers 'straight in the eye'
Summary
In a Dún Laoghaire District Court hearing, a homeowner testified that two men tried to break into his south Dublin home on 1 October 2024, shouting for his phone. He described initially mistaking the noise for foxes, then hearing metal scraping, and seeing the men looking him straight in the eye. The homeowner, who was working late, had his phone ready to call emergency services. Gardaí arrived shortly after midnight, arrested the men, and one was identified as Madalin Lingurar, 26, of North Circular Road, Dublin 7, originally from Romania. Lingurar pleaded not guilty to trespassing under the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. Judge Derek Cooney convicted him and sentenced him to four months' imprisonment with immediate effect, setting recognisance at €300. The charge of criminal damage to the front door was dismissed. The case was brought to court a year after the incident.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Homeowner gives 'moving' evidence of looking late-night trespassers 'straight in the eye'. Charges or matters: trespassing at Sydenham Villas, Dundrum, on 1 October 2024, contrary to Section 11 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Convicted
When:
- 1 October 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
- 1 October Incident
- 2025-10-15 Publication
Why: He said he could not remember the incident because he had been drinking but insisted he was on the footpath across the street, not at the house itself. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: trespassing at Sydenham Villas, Dundrum, on 1 October 2024, contrary to Section 11 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Act 1994 (Proven)
Plea: Not guilty
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Judge Cooney convicted Lingurar of trespassing and sentenced him to four months in prison with immediate effect, setting recognisance in the event of an appeal at €300, with no lodgement required.
Places mentioned
- North Circular Road
- Dublin
- Dún Laoghaire District Court
Topics
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