A Dublin man who broke into six cars in half an hour has received a suspended sentence for criminal damage, theft and possessing stolen goods.
Dwayne Cullen (28) was captured on CCTV at a church car park smashing windows in six cars and taking items from some of them. He was later arrested at a hostel.
Cullen, who received a 2½-year suspended sentence, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to criminal damage and theft at St Mark’s Church car park, Pearse Street, on January 25th. He has 23 previous convictions for mostly minor public order offences.
Garda Niall McLoughlin told Joseph Barnes BL, prosecuting, that Cullen smashed windows in all six vehicles and took items from three cars. Two bags taken from two of the cars were recovered nearby and stolen items found at the hostel were returned to their owners.
Sean O’Quigley BL, defending, told Judge Karen O’Connor his client had won a player of the year award during his time on the under-18 football team with Cabra United. Counsel said his client’s life spiralled out of control when he suffered three family bereavements in recent years and he lost his job and became homeless and addicted to drugs.