Courts / Wexford / Report
Ex-student broke in to woman's home, false imprisoned family after three-day drink & drug binge
Summary
Liam McCann, aged 26, pleaded guilty to false imprisonment, damage to a house and unlawful taking of a car at a woman's home near Scarawalsh, Co. Wexford, on 11 August 2014. He had been drinking and taking drugs for two or three days before the incident. McCann forcefully entered the victim's home at 4 pm, threw himself against a living‑room window, climbed in, put two young children into a cupboard, took two knives, and threatened the woman. He stole her car, crashed it into a wall, attempted to stop passing motorists, and waded across the River Slaney before being apprehended at Gorry Garda Station. He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with the final six months suspended. His appeal against the sentence was dismissed by the Court of Appeal, which held that the term reflected the seriousness of the offence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Ex-student broke in to woman's home, false imprisoned family after three-day drink & drug binge. Charges or matters: the false imprisonment of a woman, damage to her house and the unlawful taking of a car at her home near Scarawalsh, Co Wexford on August 11, 2014. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- August 11, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-07-19 Publication
Why: His barrister, Colman Cody SC, told the court that because of his "self-induced" state, McCann "harboured delusional beliefs" that the British army and gardaí were after him. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: the false imprisonment of a woman, damage to her house and the unlawful taking of a car at her home near Scarawalsh, Co Wexford on August 11, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced to three years imprisonment with the final six months suspended by Judge Barry Hickson last November. Contending that his client should have been given a suspended sentence, Mr Cody said McCann was a first time offender with a previous good character and his guilty plea saved the victims from testifying.
Places mentioned
- The Avenue
- Enniscorthy
- Court of Appeal
- Gorry Garda Station. The Circuit Court
- and taken to Gorry Garda Station
Topics
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