Burglar stole over €30k of personnel belongings from elderly woman
By Fiona Ferguson
A burglar stole over €30,000 of personal belongings and family heirlooms from the home of an elderly woman, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard..
Gerry Wall (27) of The Laurels, Bluebell, pleaded guilty to burglary at the address in Walkinstown on February 1, 2016. He has 26 previous convictions.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Garda Aidan Devaney told Fionnuala O’Sullivan BL, prosecuting, that the son of the elderly woman, who also lived there, returned that afternoon to the unoccupied house to find it in a “chaotic state” with piles of clothes everywhere and belongings knocked over.
He reviewed CCTV footage from the house and saw a man, later identified by gardai as Wall, leave the house with a suitcase and two bags. It was discovered numerous items of jewellery as well as saris, coins and flags were missing from the house.
None of the items have been recovered.
The court heard the value of the missing goods was €32,450 and that many of them were irreplaceable family heirlooms with sentimental value. The items were not insured.
Wall had entered a guilty plea following legal argument after a jury was sworn in for his trial last July. He was granted bail on stringent conditions but failed to appear on his sentence date. A warrant was issued for his arrest and he appeared by arrangement last week to have it executed.
Garda Devaney agreed with Emmett Nolan BL, defending, that the burglary was not planned or sophisticated and that there had been no one present in the house and no confrontation.
Mr Nolan said Wall had asked the court to convey an apology and his remorse for what had happened. He asked the court to stay its hand to allow a report be prepared.
He said Wall was a married father of one who had little education and training.
He said there was simply “no excuse” for the offence and his client was taking responsibility in that regard.
Judge Karen O’Connor adjourned sentencing until October 15, 2020
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