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Knife-wielding burglar with over 200 convictions in spree of break-ins

Summary

A knife-wielding burglar with over 200 previous convictions will be sentenced later this year for a series of break-ins across Dublin. Andrew Cleary (50), who has no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to multiple counts of burglary, theft, trespass, and criminal damage, as well as one count of aggravated burglary, between October 2024 and July 2025. The incidents occurred in various locations, including Sandymount, Killiney, Rathgar, Rathmines, and Ranelagh. Three gardai testified that Cleary entered homes and stole high-value items to sell and fund his drug addiction. In one incident in Ranelagh, a man was working from home when he heard creaking floorboards and saw Cleary entering the room with a knife, demanding money. The victim handed over his wallet and locked the door as instructed. In another incident in Killiney, a monitoring company alerted the homeowner to an activated security alarm. The homeowner viewed footage on his phone and saw Cleary and another man breaking into his home, smashing windows and taking keys. Gardai later apprehended Cleary with stolen items.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Knife-wielding burglar with over 200 convictions in spree of break-ins. Charges or matters: multiple counts of burglary, theft, trespass and criminal damage, as well as a single count of aggravated burglary, at various locations across Dublin, including Sandymount, Killiney, Rathgar, Rathmines, and Ranelagh, between October 2024 and July 2025. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• October 2024 Incident
• July 2025 Incident
• 2026-06-19 Publication

Why: All three investigating gardaí agreed with Keith Spencer BL, defending, that Cleary was stealing items in order to sell on and feed his drug addiction. Defence account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report