Man broke into Claremorris house after its owner died
Castlebar District Court was told that the man had been homeless at the time.
A man has been jailed for breaking into a property owned by someone who had recently died.
Kieran Lawless of The Quay, New Ross, Wexford pleaded guilty at Castlebar District Court to trespass and criminal damage at Ard Clar housing estate, Ballindine Rd, Claremorris on January 20, 2022.
Gda John Hughes said he received a call from auctioneer Pat Killeen, the executor of the will of a man who died in December 2020 and who owned a home on the Ard Clar estate. Mr Killeen informed Gda Hughes that Lawless had entered the property without permission. Initially, the defendant gained access by using a key that was hidden outside, but when the auctioneer changed the locks, the defendant forced his way into the property by breaking a rear window.
Gda Hughes entered the house and found Lawless in a locked upstairs bedroom. The garda had to force open the door. Lavelle has 22 previous convictions, including a suspended prison sentence from 2020 that will now be reactivated as a result of this latest conviction.
Pleading for leniency, solicitor Gary Mulchrone said his client was homeless at the time and had brought €300 to court as compensation.
However, Judge Fiona Lydon imposed a six-month prison sentence, stating: “You took advantage of this man being deceased."
