Man broke into family home in Dundalk while they were sleeping

A 25 year old man who broke into a family's home in Dundalk, while they were asleep in bed has been sentenced to four months at the local district court.

The court heard how Alex Clarke with an address at Claddagh Park, Tom Bellew Avenue was seen to enter a house in Cathedral View shortly after 4am on March 7th last, and gardaí found him trying to hide behind a wheelie bin.

Two i-Pads, a charger and a firestick which had been stolen from the premises were recovered.

When Judge Eirinn McKiernan said she wanted to know if it was a vacant house, Sgt. Letitia McConnell said the parents and children were in bed at the time.

Sentenced for assaulting young woman in Dundalk

Learner driver stopped by Dundalk gardai fails drugs test and has no insurance

In a separate incident, a bicycle worth €600 was stolen in a burglary at a shed at Ard na Gréine, Lis na Dara on October 27th 2022.

Alex Clarke was seen on the bike the following day, cycling through the estate.

The court heard that he had eight previous convictions and the matter was put back for a week to establish if he was a suitable candidate for community service.

Last Wednesday the Defence solicitor told Judge McKiernan that community service could not be considered because of his client's epilepsy.

Stressing that these matters pre-dated a sentence he had served earlier this year, the solicitor urged the court not to return Mr. Clarke to custody.

Judge McKiernan imposed a four month sentence for the burglary at the family home, and fixed recognizance in the event of an appeal being lodged.

The other charge was taken into consideration.