Courts / Dublin / Report

Luas driver "did a public service" with burglary alert

Summary

In a 2016 court hearing, the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal of Darren Canning, a 36‑year‑old former Luas driver, who had pleaded guilty to burglary at an apartment block in Tallaght on 1 March 2015. Canning had been sentenced to three years' imprisonment by Judge Martin Nolan on 27 July 2015. The appeal was rejected because the Court of Appeal held that the jail term could not be deemed excessive. The case was presented as a "public service" by the Luas driver who, after seeing Canning smash a ground‑floor window, alerted her controller and prompted Gardaí to intervene. During the arrest, pepper spray was used and Canning was found with a camera, mobile phone, jewellery and two cans of beer. The judge noted Canning's 67 prior convictions, including 18 for burglary, and his long‑standing heroin addiction, but also his early engagement with rehabilitation services.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Luas driver "did a public service" with burglary alert. Charges or matters: burglary of an apartment at Carrig Court, Fortunestown Way, Tallaght on March 1, 2015. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

• March 1, 2015 Incident
• July 27, 2015 Incident
• 2016-05-26 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Drugs Stage Appeal

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Read the original CNI report