Karl Burke given suspended sentence for handling stolen car

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

Karl Burke (27), of Oatfield Lawns, Clondalkin, received a fully suspended three-year sentence from Judge Melanie Greally at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He pleaded guilty to handling a stolen car and possession of a false Vehicle Registration Certificate. The offences occurred at The Park Shopping Centre, Carrickmines, on 30 October 2014. The proceedings were reported on 20 June 2016.

Judge Melanie Greally noted that the buyer had sought proof of ownership to protect himself but was nevertheless €8,000 out of pocket. She also noted that Burke was no longer using drugs and was taking concrete steps to improve his circumstances.

Garda Paschal Carley told Garrett McCormack BL, prosecuting, that an official at Wicklow County Council had alerted gardaí to suspicions about a Vehicle Registration Certificate presented by a man attempting to register a car.

The report said the man and his brother had bought the car from Burke after seeing an advert on Done Deal. When they met at Carrickmines, Burke produced a driver’s licence in a false name. They photographed the licence and Burke before handing over the money.

The investigation found that the car had been stolen from Castleknock, had a cloned chassis number and bore a registration plate relating to a car on a lot in Finglas. Gardaí identified Burke from the photograph. He was arrested and co-operated fully.

Burke told gardaí he became involved to reduce a cocaine debt of between €8,000 and €10,000. He was to have €500 taken off that debt for advertising the car and completing the transaction.

Mary Rose Gearty SC, defending, said Burke wanted nothing more to do with drugs or his old associates. She said the father of two wished to return to full-time education.