Courts / Dublin / Report

'Endemic recidivist' with 230 convictions caught red-handed after break-in

Date
2026-03-10

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Stephen Shiels, who has more than 230 previous convictions, pleaded guilty to burglary and criminal damage after breaking into a Maxol service station on Ringsend Road. Judge Orla Crowe imposed two and a half years and suspended the final six months under probation supervision.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Endemic recidivist' with 230 convictions caught red-handed after break-in. Charges or matters: burglary at Maxol Service Station on Ringsend Road, Dublin 4, on October 18, 2025; two counts of criminal damage to a door and cash register on the same occasion. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

October 18, 2025 Incident
October 17 Incident
2026-03-10 Publication

Case subjects

Stephen Shiels

Defendant

Charges: burglary at Maxol Service Station on Ringsend Road, Dublin 4, on October 18, 2025; two counts of criminal damage to a door and cash register on the same occasion (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Shiels appeared for sentence via video link from prison. She imposed a sentence of two and a half years and suspended the final 6 months under probation supervision to assist him on his return to society and allow him to move away from offending.