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28 Nov 2025
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28 Nov 2025
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Dundalk Courthouse
A man who, along with his housemate, forced his way into the apartment of a 17 year old Malaysian student in the town, was jailed for two years and nine months at Dundalk Circuit Court.
Alan Bird (32) with an address at the time at Ashbrook Avenue, Dundalk admitted a single count of robbery, arising out of the incident at Mourneview Hall, Dublin Road, Dundalk on May 3rd 2020.
The victim, who was a student at DkIT, had heard banging around midnight and when he answered the door, Alan Bird's co-accused asked for one of his flat mates.
Before he could reply, the other man started hitting him in the face and knocked him to the ground before he ran off.
Shortly afterwards both defendants kicked the door down and while his co-accused beat the victim, Alan Bird, who was wearing a ski mask, started looking for money that he claimed a flat mate owed.
They stole the student’s laptop, Nintendo Switch, a Macbook Air and €250 in cash.
In a victim impact statement, the injured party said what occurred had changed and scared him in a way he will always remember and loud noise or banging triggers his paranoia.
Alan Bird had 23 previous convictions including burglary and assault causing harm.In a letter previously read to the court, he apologised to the victim.
He said he was struggling with mental health problems during lockdown but stressed he is now clean of Class A drugs. He added he has a new perspective on life since turning 30.
Judge Dara Hayes, noted Alan Bird's now assessed as being at moderate risk of re-offending, having previously been considered at high risk.
He imposed a sentence of five years and three months, with the final two and a half years suspended on him placing himself under the supervision of the Probation Service for 12 months post-release.
It was backdated to November 27th last to allow for time spent in custody on the charge.
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