Suspended sentence for assisting her partner after burglary of a house

By Eimear Dodd

A woman has been handed a suspended 12-month sentence for assisting her partner after the burglary of a house in South Dublin.

Shannon Haddock (28) of Redgap, Rathcoole, Co. Dublin pleaded guilty to charges of assisting an offender and dangerous driving.

She has no previous convictions.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today that the co-accused is Haddock’s partner and he was previously sentenced to 27 months after pleading guilty to burglary of a house in Sallynoggin in March 2023.

The property’s owner was driving past when he saw a commotion outside the house on the morning of March 1, 2023. He stopped and went inside where he noticed a kitchen window was broken and there was glass on the floor.

Garda Lorraine Doyle told Carol Doherty BL, prosecuting, that Haddock acted in concert with the co-accused and was at the scene in a car.

Gardaí were told a red Audi was seen leaving the scene in the direction of Glenageary.

Gda Doyle said the car was observed in a nearby estate. Haddock had driven the car away from the scene of the burglary, but later switched places with her partner.

Both Haddock and her partner drove the car during the incident, the court was told.

The red Audi didn’t stop after gardaí signalled for it to pull in and drove the wrong way up Sallynoggin Road.

The co-accused was observed to be driving as the car continued onto Kill Lane, stopping after it appeared to collide with other vehicles.

Haddock and the co-accused both fled on foot from the car. She was arrested by gardaí shortly afterwards.

She was interviewed, but nothing of evidential value was obtained.

Gda Doyle agreed with Sarah-Jane O’Callaghan BL, defending, that the burglary was “nothing to do with” her client and the house was unoccupied at the time.

The garda agreed Haddock was courteous in her dealings with gardaí and has not come to further negative attention.

It was further accepted that the co-accused has previous convictions and difficulties with addiction.

Gda Doyle agreed that Haddock was experiencing her own difficulties with addiction at the time of the offence.

It was also accepted that

Haddock was placed into a chokehold by a member of the public after the car stopped on Kill Lane.

Ms O’Callaghan told the court her client feels “absolutely humiliated” and ashamed to find herself before the court.

Her client is in a long-term relationship with the co-accused and remains supportive of him.

Haddock continued her studies after completing her Leaving Certificate. A number of certificates, a letter of apology and other reports were handed to the court.

She has a work history and assists with the care of two younger siblings, who have additional needs.

Ms O’Callaghan outlined that Haddock faces some challenging personal circumstances including difficulties with her mental health.

She was also dealing with addiction at the time of the offending, but has abstained from alcohol and drugs since this incident, which defence counsel said was a “horrific mistake” and a “huge wake-up call” for her client.

Imposing sentence, Judge Orla Crowe noted that a member of the public placed Haddock in a chokehold, but “when one participates in a crime of this manner, these things can happen.”

She said this was a “sorry state of affairs” noting that Haddock’s “poor life choices and poor choice of company” had brought her before the court.

Judge Crowe said it is an aggravating feature that Haddock was an active participant and drove the car.

She noted Haddock’s lack of previous convictions and her proactive efforts towards rehabilitation among the mitigating factors.

Imposing a 12-month sentence, Judge Crowe said Haddock would be given an opportunity to “keep faith with the court” and suspended on strict conditions for two years.

Haddock was also disqualified from driving for two years.