Man who broke into Louth hotel room given an eight-month prison term

By Francis Carroll, The Drogheda Independent

A burglar who spent approximately 20 minutes in a Dundalk hotel room while two elderly women were present before making off with cash and clothing has been jailed for eight months.

Passing sentence, Judge Nicola Andrews remarked that Lawrence Mubango (36), of no fixed abode, had a “dreadful record”.

He appeared via video link having a week earlier pleaded guilty to burglary at the Imperial Hotel on March 30 last.

The case had been adjourned for gardaí to canvass Victim Impact Statements.

The district court was told that the two women were uncontactable.

Details were given of 92 previous convictions against Mr Mubango, a father of one.

These included assault causing serious harm for which he received a 10-year sentence in 2019; theft and forgery.

Solicitor Carol Slattery said that her client had spent considerable time in custody previously after which he struggled to integrate back into society.

He was “quite a bright young man” doing well in prison and was one module away from a Degree.

The defendant was anxious to move on. He had been unable to attend his eight-year-old son’s First Communion.

Judge Andrews said that the nature of the offence was “quite troubling”.

When anyone checked into a hotel they were entitled to security and not have have someone sneak into their room.

It was quite aggravating and had an appalling impact on two elderly guests. It was at the upper end, the judge continued.

An eight-month sentence was imposed, backdated to April 1 last.

The court had heard evidence that Lawrence Mubango was neither a resident nor a guest when he entered a third floor bedroom of the town centre hotel at 3.20am.

He was there approximately 20 minutes while the two ladies were present. He stole €500 cash, items of clothing and a purse. He exited the room and hotel at 3.38am.

Neither the cash nor purse were recovered.