Woman held down burglar until gardaí arrived
A burglar was arrested after the woman in the house he had broken into sat on his back and stopped him escaping, a court has heard.
Robert Terry (aged 33) of St. Patrick's Crescent, Monkstown Farm, Dun Laoghaire pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to burglary at Grosvenor Terrance, Monkstown, Dublin on April 27, 2013.
Judge Desmond Hogan sentenced Terry to two years with the last year suspended.
Garda Gary Dunne told Garret Baker BL, prosecuting, that Brian McDonald and his wife Helen were having a dinner party and in the back garden having wine.
He said Mr McDonald went back into his home and found Mr Terry going through his wife's bag. He grabbedhim and the two men fell, before Mr McDonald called to his wife to ring gardai.
The court heard that the man's wife restrained Mr Terry by sitting on his back until gardaí arrived.
They found Mr McDonald's mobile phone on Mr Terry.
Mr Terry has 31 previous convictions including burglary, theft and drug dealing.
Lily Buckley BL, defending, said her client has a heroin addiction and was drunk when he carried out this burglary.
Judge Hogan commented that Terry was caught red-handed.
The judge suspended the second half of the sentence for two years on condition that Mr Terry undergo a drug and alcohol treatment programme.
