Courts / Dublin / Report
'Stellar' boxer with unbeaten record punched and threatened a man during burglary
Summary
A former professional boxer with a stellar career and an unbeaten record has been jailed for over five years for two burglaries in Dublin last year. Tony Bates, originally from Clondalkin, was before the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court where he pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, assault, trespass, and obstructing a police officer. In one incident, he punched a man and threatened him with a knife during a burglary at an address on Mount Pleasant Avenue Lower. In another, he stole packages from the post room of an apartment block on Grand Canal Street. Garda Andras Leginszki testified that Bates stole keys and packages from the post room and returned later to use the keys to steal more. He was apprehended, charged, and bailed. Garda Alison Egan explained that Bates had gone to a man's home to ask for drugs, became aggressive, and punched him before taking a pack of prescription tablets and threatening him with a knife. A neighbor contacted gardai, who found Bates in possession of another person's driving licence and a bank card.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Stellar' boxer with unbeaten record punched and threatened a man during burglary. Charges or matters: aggravated burglary on 24th April 2025 at an address on Mount Pleasant Avenue Lower in Dublin 6; burglary, trespass and theft at Pembroke Square Apartments on Grand Canal Street on 20 January 2025, along with possession of a stolen debit card, resident's permit and Austrian identity card at the same location. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- 24th April 2025 Incident
- 20 January 2025 Incident
- 2026-02-12 Publication
Why: The man explained that he didn't sell drugs, but Bates became extremely aggressive and punched him, knocking him over. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: aggravated burglary on 24th April 2025 at an address on Mount Pleasant Avenue Lower in Dublin 6; burglary, trespass and theft at Pembroke Square Apartments on Grand Canal Street on 20 January 2025, along with possession of a stolen debit card, resident's permit and Austrian identity card at the same location (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: By Natasha Reid A former professional boxer with a stellar career and unbeaten record has been jailed for more than five years for two burglaries in Dublin last year. She imposed a sentence of two years and three months for the Pembroke Square offences and a consecutive four-year sentence for the Mount Pleasant Avenue offences.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Mount Pleasant Avenue
- Dublin
- Pembroke Square
- Grand Canal Street
- Mount Pleasant Avenue
Topics
Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Violent Crime
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