Courts / Kildare / Report

Burglar with 125 previous convictions who threatened to "behead" garda fails in sentence appeal

Summary

Christpher Dunne, 29, of Kilcronan Court, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to burglary at Old Chapel Wood, Naas, on 15 March 2011. He was sentenced on 25 July 2014 to five years imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended. Dunne had 125 previous convictions, 97 of which pre‑dated the offence, and was a father of three and an addict of heroin at the time. During the burglary he threatened to behead a garda while escaping, and had a baseball bat that he swung at the officer. The Court of Appeal, in a three‑judge panel, held that the sentence was proportionate and just, dismissing Dunne's appeal. The judge noted the offence was an "egregious burglary" involving baseball bats, screwdrivers and vice grips, and that the maximum sentence for burglary is 14 years. The suspended year was intended to incentivise rehabilitation. The appeal was dismissed.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Burglar with 125 previous convictions who threatened to "behead" garda fails in sentence appeal. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• March 15, 2011 Incident
• July 25, 2014 Incident
• 2016-02-09 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Drugs Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report