A heroin addict who broke into a retirement home and later assaulted a garda has been jailed for nine years at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The court was told the defendant had a "horrific" criminal record and first came before the courts when he was aged 10. The offences were committed while he was out on bail for attempted burglary in which he suffered a serious leg wound.
James Bissett (34), Shanganagh Wood, Shankill, pleaded guilty to one count of attempted burglary, one count of burglary and one count of assaulting a garda on dates in 1997 and 1998.
Garda Fergus Toomey told Mr Shane Murphy, prosecuting, that on November 19th, 1997, he was called to a house in Castlepark, Monkstown, after an attempted burglary. There was blood on the ground near a broken window pane but no house contents were missing.
Twenty-five minutes later he saw Bisset on the street. He was "very edgy" and had a deep wound to his right ankle. He was wearing two styles of runners, one bigger than the other.
Garda Niall McRory said that while out on bail on this offence, Bissett broke into the caretaker's apartment in Rochestown House retirement home in Sallynoggin, Dublin. When Garda McRory and Garda Niall McKiernan arrived, Bissett fled but was caught trying to jump a wall.
He became very violent and kicked Garda McKiernan on the shoulder. A wallet containing £50 was recovered but Bisset was too high on drink and drugs to make a statement to gardai.
Judge Frank O'Donnell said Bisset had made little effort to get off drugs. The court would take into account his guilty plea but must look at the offences "coldly and calculatedly".
Imposing a nine-year sentence, Judge O'Donnell set a review date in four years.