Courts / Dublin / Report

Sneaker burglar has jail time halved

Date
2025-12-02
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Rathfarnham
County
Dublin

Summary

A burglar's jail time was halved after his sentence for criminal damage at a Lidl store was replaced with a suspended term on appeal. Thomas Carlyle (50), of no fixed abode in Dublin 2, was convicted of burglary at 'Saint Street Sneakers' and damaging a coin drawer at the Lidl store. He was initially sentenced to four months in prison for both incidents. Carlyle appealed against the severity of his sentence, citing personal circumstances, including drug use. Sergeant Stephen Walsh provided evidence that Carlyle was in possession of a screwdriver and that blood-stained sneakers were found at the scene. Carlyle has 17 previous convictions. Defence counsel Lydia Daly BL argued that Carlyle has stable accommodation arranged for his release and is an enhanced prisoner with a good work ethic. Judge Sinéad Ní Chúlacháin affirmed the four-month sentence for the burglary but suspended the sentence for the criminal damage incident for one year, under conditions of good behaviour and engagement with the probation service.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Sneaker burglar has jail time halved. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted

When:

Case subjects

Thomas Carlyle

Appellant

Finding: Convicted

Outcome: Convicted; Thomas Carlyle (50) had also appealed against the severity of his sentence on the burglary incident, where he was observed by gardai bleeding from his hand, in circumstances where a large number of sneakers were found by gardai with blood stains on them. He was sentenced to four months imprisonment.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Address Area
  • Saint Street
  • Crow Street
Court Venue
  • District Court Appeals Court
Incident

Topics

Burglary Drugs Stage Appeal

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request