Limerick recidivist jailed for breaking into home in broad daylight
A MAN with 112 previous convictions broke into a house owned by a woman that he knew, while she was in a park with her son, Limerick Circuit Court heard.
Michael Kirby, aged 39, of Hyde Road, Limerick pleaded guilty to burglary arising from an incident at Little O’Curry Street, Limerick city on September 18, 2022.
Prosecuting barrister, John O'Sullivan, instructed by state solicitor Padraig Mawe, said the injured party left the house at 4.18pm on that date to bring her son to the People’s Park in Limerick city.
“She noticed the accused and a lady who we will call Ms X heading towards the gate at Pery Square. The injured party knew the accused. She had CCTV cameras at her house. She got a buzz alarm on her phone. It was a motion sensitive system. Ms X was pacing up and down outside her house while Mr Kirby was in the house,” said Mr O’Sullivan, who added the while the victim knew Mr Kirby and Ms X she is not associates with them.
Among the items stolen were a handbag valued at €240, three tablets, an engagement ring, a number of mobile phones, a gold chain, a drill, €120 in cash, a jewellery box and prescription inhalers in their original packaging.
Mr O’Sullivan said the fact that the victim knew and had “always been nice” to Mr Kirby and Ms X made the “sense of violation” worse.
The barrister said the injured party works two jobs.
Mr O’Sullivan said gardai arrested Mr Kirby at 6.50pm that day - a short time later. He was charged and was refused bail on September 19, 2012 and has been in custody since.
Detective Garda David McGrath said a number of items were recovered from a bin but not everything that was stolen.
“The jewellery was not recovered,” he told the court.
Mr O’Sullivan said Mr Kirby is a “recidivist” with 112 previous convictions including for burglary, robbery, false imprisonment, assault causing harm.
Kenneth Kerins BL, who represented the accused, said his client had written a letter, apologising for his actions. The letter was read out to the court.
Mr Kirby said he had previously left Limerick and got a job in a hotel in Donegal.
“My partner’s sister passed away and we returned to Limerick. I started drinking and fell into the habit of taking cocaine. I promise not to come before the court again. I’m sorry for my actions. I want to change for the better,” read the letter.
Mr Kerins said Mr Kirby engaged with An Garda Siochana and has sought help with his drug addiction.
“He has engaged with drug counselling (Merchant’s Quay Project) and has employment prospects in Donegal,” said Mr Kerins.
Judge Tom O’Donnell said Mr Kirby’s list of previous convictions is “appalling”.
“While quite a bit (of what was stolen) was retrieved, quite a lot of items and with sentimental value effectively disappeared,” said Judge O’Donnell, who added that the victim worked two jobs to keep herself and her family in the manner they were accustomed.
The judge said unfortunately this type of crime is “very, very common”.
While noting Mr Kirby was caught “red-handed on CCTV” the judge said he was giving credit for his guilty plea so the injured party didn’t have to come to court to give evidence.
He sentenced him to two and a half years' imprisonment.