Courts / Dublin / Report

On-bail burglar jailed for 'terror' inducing home invasion

Date
2026-05-20
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Gavin Cooke was jailed for eight years for participating in a burglary while on bail, during which a homeowner was threatened with a metal bar and her daughters were in fear of being raped. Cooke pleaded guilty to burglary after the indictment was amended. The court heard that the burglar threatened the woman with a metal bar, demanding cash, and the other two men went upstairs where the woman's daughters were. The woman gave the man €50, but he continued to demand cash. The Audi used in the crime was found on fire nearby, with Cooke's name and prisoner number stitched into the garment. Cooke has 69 previous convictions, including robbery and drugs offences. The judge noted the long-term psychological harm to the woman and her daughters and imposed an eight-year sentence, to be served consecutively to his current sentence.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: On-bail burglar jailed for 'terror' inducing home invasion. Charges or matters: burglary on May 29, 2017 at a house in south Dublin; burglary after the indictment was amended on a trial date. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Gavin Cooke

Defendant

Charges: burglary on May 29, 2017 at a house in south Dublin; burglary after the indictment was amended on a trial date (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Today, Cooke of Kilmahuddrick Walk, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 was handed an eight-year sentence, which is to run consecutively to a sentence he is currently serving. Having considered the mitigation and Cooke's personal circumstances, the judge imposed an eight-year sentence.

Places mentioned

Incident
Residence

Topics

Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Theft

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