A man with a heroin problem, who admitted breaking into the home of a Co Meath couple in their 70s, has been sentenced to nearly nine months' imprisonment at Navan District Court.
The court was told that Eric Hutch (22), of Mellows Road, Finglas, Dublin, kicked in the rear door of the bungalow at Ballybin, Ashbourne, on February 2nd.
The couple were not at home at the time, but returned and disturbed the defendant. He stole items worth £674, including a carriage clock given as a retirement present to the elderly man. The defendant was arrested a short time later at St Margaret's Road, Finglas, and made a full statement to gardai.