Joseph Shannon’s burglary sentence increased after DPP review

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The Court of Appeal increased Joseph Shannon’s effective prison term from 14 weeks to two years and three months on 30 May 2018, following a successful review sought by the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Shannon had pleaded guilty in the Circuit Court to eight burglaries in Dublin committed between April and August 2014. The proceedings were reported on 30 May 2018.

On 11 April 2016, Judge Petria McDonnell had sentenced him at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three years, suspending all but the 14 weeks he had spent on remand. The judge took account of his efforts to rehabilitate and become drug-free. The DPP sought a review on the grounds that the sentence was unduly lenient.

The Court of Appeal imposed three years’ imprisonment on each count, with the final nine months of each sentence suspended. The sentences were to run concurrently and were backdated to reflect the 14 weeks spent on remand. Shannon was required to enter into a good behaviour bond and undertook to be bound by it.

Giving judgment, Mr Justice John Edwards said Shannon’s rehabilitation progress had been impressive. The court was told, however, that Shannon had subsequently relapsed and pleaded guilty to another similar burglary. Mr Justice Edwards said the court had previously been minded to deal with the matter without custody, but a period in custody was now required.

Shannon had 74 previous convictions, including 38 for burglary. He admitted using the DART and LUAS to identify suitable premises before returning to burgle them.