Great grandfather to be sentenced over burglaries of aquarium and school

“Bad cases of professional burglary” is how a judge described the crimes committed by a 77-year-old great grandfather and his 62-year-old son-in-law, who pleaded guilty to burglaries at Ireland’s largest aquarium, an accountancy firm and secondary schools.

Limerick Circuit Criminal Court heard how manhole covers were lifted, phone lines cut, surveillance conducted, alarms pulled off walls and CCTV cameras were tampered with.

Edward (AKA Paddy) Brennan, aged 77, of Grianan, Westbury, Co Clare pleaded guilty to two burglaries, at Dingle Oceanworld Aquarium on April 22, 2019, and Loftus Maher & Co Accountants, Courtfields Commercial Centre, Raheen on June 13, 2019.

Brendan Wallace, aged 62, of Fernleigh, Westbury pleaded guilty to burglaries at Loftus Maher & Co on June 13, 2019; Mercy Mounthawk School, Tralee on November 20, 2015 and Marist College, Athlone on February 8, 2013.

The barrister for Mr Wallace - who the court heard has a number of previous convictions - assured the presiding judge Dermot Sheehan that his client “won’t be back before the courts”.

“Today can be marked as his official retirement,” he announced.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the cases with the assistance of Detective Garda Gary Laide.

Mr O’Sullivan said access was gained to Loftus Maher & Co by a rear door being forced with a nail bar after a manhole cover was lifted and phone lines cut in the early hours of the morning.

“An alarm box was removed. €1,200 was taken from cash boxes and damage was caused by the break-in. Gardai recovered a piece of paper with a shoe mark. CCTV showed Mr Wallace conducting surveillance prior to the burglary,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

Garda Brian Begley found a duffel bag containing a “burglary kit” including nail bars, snips, and a manhole key during the course of the investigation.

The court heard Mr Wallace’s DNA was on the handle of the bag and the shoe print found on the piece of paper matched Mr Brennan’s footwear.

Mr O’Sullivan said staff starting work at Ireland’s largest aquarium in Dingle on April 23, 2019 noticed there had been a break-in.

“It is a popular tourist attraction. Two manhole covers had been lifted and phone lines cut. Alarm boxes were removed from external and internal walls.€5,000 was removed from the safe. The key was left on top of it. CCTV hardware was missing. It was found submerged in one of the water tanks,” said the prosecuting barrister.

Mr O’Sullivan said gardai discovered blood on a timber door in Marist College, Athlone following a burglary on February 8, 2013.

“It was the DNA of Mr Wallace who cut himself in the process of damaging property. Entry was gained by a window. Rucksacks and school bags were put over CCTV cameras,” said Mr O’Sullivan.

The prosecuting barrister said “significant damage” was caused in Mercy Mounthawk School, Tralee on November 20, 2015.

“Manhole covers were lifted, phone wires cut, alarm boxes removed and internal doors damaged. The safe was intact but badly damaged. Nothing was stolen. The alarm system cost €4,000 to repair and €3,000 worth of damage was caused to doors,” said Mr O’Sullivan, who added that blood spots on the safe matched Mr Wallace’s DNA.

In summing up, Mr O’Sullivan said they were planned and organised burglaries, covering a wide geographical area.The barrister asked Det Garda Laide if any property was recovered? “No,” said the detective.

Mr Brennan has a number of previous convictions for burglary and breaking and entering. Mr Wallace has previous for larceny, handling stolen property, assault, affray, possession and production of an article, and in relation to an illegal money-lending operation.

Andrew Sexton SC, who represented Mr Brennan, said his client will be 78-years-old in a couple weeks.

“He is married for 54 years and cares for his wife. He has been totally compliant with his bail conditions. He made admissions, pleaded guilty and apologises. It is a unique case. There were never any interactions with anybody during the burglaries,” said

Mr Sexton, who told Judge Sheehan he had seen a documentary on former Minister for Health Noel Browne the previous evening.

Mr Sexton said Mr Browne’s mother travelled to London because she knew she was dying and was terrified that her children would be taken into industrial schools — notably that Noel would be sent to Letterfrack. Two days later she died in London and Mr Browne went down a completely different road, said Mr Sexton.

“Mr Brennan ended up in Letterfrack. He was a victim,” said Mr Sexton, who handed in reports and a letter from Mr Brennan to the judge.

Counsel said when Mr Brennan was a child, his father suffered a grave injury and if that hadn’t happened his client could have been his apprentice.

“He got into trouble, ended up in Letterfrack and went down a road that led to a, b and c,” said Mr Sexton, who asked Judge Sheehan to structure a sentence.

Brian McInerney SC, who defended Mr Wallace, said this could have been a very lengthy and protracted trial or number of trials.

“A lot of hard work has gone into condensing and distilling this into today. The value of the plea is far higher than a normal case,” said Mr McInerney.

The barrister said things have moved on for his client and he is now a grandfather who cares for two grandchildren with special needs.

“He is heavily involved in their wellbeing and welfare,” said Mr McInerney. He said in none of the offending is there any engagement with anybody or was any person put in fear.

Mr McInerney asked Judge Sheehan to structure a sentence in which “the interests of justice can be reflected”.

“He won’t be back before the courts. Today can be marked as his official retirement. He is a grandfather who takes care of his family and grandchildren. He is in a different place than where he was,” said Mr McInerney.

Judge Sheehan said, “I am going to think about this”.

“I’m making no promises to either man as to the outcome. These are bad cases of professional burglary. Sometimes consequences have to follow. It is important I get this right,” said Judge Sheehan, who adjourned sentencing until March.