Man jailed for aggravated burglary at home of 75-year-old

A Dublin man who burst into an elderly man’s home wearing a balaclava and wielding a knife has been jailed for 3½ years for aggravated burglary.

Seán O’Leary (40) put his hand over the 75-year-old man’s mouth as he rifled through his pockets and took €900 in cash.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard the victim did not see a knife in the burglar’s hand during the incident but gardaí­later matched O’Leary’s DNA to a blade found on the kitchen table.

O’Leary, of Ferrycarrig Drive, Coolock, pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary at Moatview Court, Priorswood on March 31st, 2016. He has 28 previous convictions.

Garda Ronan Smith told Monika Leech BL, prosecuting, that the homeowner was making a cup of tea at about 9.30pm when the doorbell rang. He answered the door and a man in a balaclava ran in shouting: "Where's the money?" The court heard the resident was knocked to the ground.

A neighbour came on the scene after burglary and discovered the old man “in bits” crying, Garda Smith said. He said O’Leary was nominated as a suspect before the knife and balaclava, which was also found nearby, had gone through forensic testing.

O’Leary made full admissions once his DNA was found to match that on the items and he told gardaí­ he was very sorry, saying: “I hope the man can find it in his heart to forgive me for what I’ve done”.

Garda Smith said the victim had increased anxiety levels and moved to a nursing home after the incident. He lost the cash that was stolen and also spent money adding security features to his house before he had to move out.

Garda Smith agreed with Luigi Rea BL, defending, that his client’s guilty plea was a huge relief to the injured party and his family. He further agreed that drug abuse had “destroyed” O’Leary.

Judge Nolan said this was an insidious crime which frightened the victim and had a significant effect on him. He imposed the sentence with credit to be given for any time in custody O’Leary has spent on the matter.