A serial offender with 134 previous convictions has been jailed for six months for a string of burglaries, including two break-ins at a community resource centre on consecutive nights.
Patrick Lynch (50), of Rosemount Glade, Dundrum, Dublin 14, appeared before Judge Anne Watkin at Dun Laoghaire District Court yesterday, where he pleaded guilty to several counts of burglary, theft, and trespassing.
The court heard that on 9 January 2024, Lynch unlawfully entered the Rosemount Resource Centre at Waldermere Terrace, Main Street, Dundrum, Dublin 14, as a trespasser and committed the theft, namely the stealing of five Samsung tablets worth €5,500.
The offence was prosecuted under Section 4 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act 2001, contrary to Section 12(1)(b) and (3) of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
On the following night, 10 January, Lynch returned and stole more Samsung devices and €450 in cash. Gardaí later obtained a search warrant for his address, and five of the stolen tablets were recovered. Lynch made full admissions during interview.
While on bail however, he committed further offences on 29 and 30 April, including entering a property through an open window and stealing a phone and a laptop worth approximately €1,000. In a separate incident around 1am, Lynch was seen trying several doors and placing rocks into a plastic bag. He also attempted to break into another area of the resource centre and a nearby beauty salon.
Lynch has 134 previous convictions, including 11 for theft under Section 4 of the 2001 Act, as well as public order, criminal damage, drug-related offences, firearms offences, and 21 for driving without insurance.
His solicitor, Caroline Egan, said Lynch had a long history of drug addiction and mental health difficulties, which had escalated following the death of his wife three years ago. He had served previous custodial sentences, including in Mountjoy Prison, and was currently on remand for other matters.
Ms Egan said Lynch was struggling with grief, depression, and street drug use, and had not been engaging with medical services, missing several appointments. She asked the court to consider his personal circumstances and medical needs.
Judge Watkin said that while she accepted Lynch’s background was difficult, the repeat nature of his offending – especially returning the following night after the first burglary – and the extent of his criminal history required a custodial sentence.
Lynch was sentenced to six months in prison. Legal aid was granted, and recognisance was fixed in the event of an appeal.