Men jailed for their roles in burglary of six commercial units in a Dublin Business Park

By Eimear Dodd

Two men have been jailed for their roles in the burglary of six commercial units in a Dublin Business Park and a high speed chase involving garda patrol cars.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Michael Tuite (28) and Patrick Morgan (39) were involved in the burglaries of six premises at the Premier Business Park, Ballycoolin, Dublin 11, on the night of February 7 last.

Several premises were ransacked, with tills and sets of keys taken, which were later recovered.

When gardai arrived at the business park, the two men were seen leaving in a stolen car.

Tuite was driving and his attempts to evade a pursuing garda patrol car included driving at high speeds and on the wrong side of the road.

He also drove at a garda patrol car on several occasions, with gardai forced to take evasive action to avoid a collision.

The car later stalled outside a garage and the men violently resisted arrest, with Morgan punching a garda in the face.

Both men were highly intoxicated on the night.

After being charged, Tuite escaped from custody by climbing a wall at the Blanchardstown District  Court on February 10 last.

He was found a short time later hiding in the nearby retail park.

Tuite, of Shangan Road, Ballymun, Dublin 11, and Morgan, of Kilbarron Avenue, Kilmore, Dublin 5, both came forward from the District Court on signed guilty pleas including six counts of burglary and one of possession of an implement with intent to use it in the course of a burglary.

Tuite also pleaded guilty to endangerment, unauthorised taking of a vehicle and unlawful escape from custody.

Morgan further entered guilty pleas to assault causing harm and allowing himself to be carried in a vehicle without the consent of the owner or without other lawful authority.

Tuite has 50 previous convictions, including two counts of robbery, six of burglary, two of endangerment and eight for the unauthorised taking of a vehicle.

Morgan has 68 previous convictions including theft, criminal damage, assault and drugs offences.

Judge Martin Nolan yesterday said Tuite’s driving was “pretty disgraceful” on the night, and both men were “aggressive and confrontational” when gardai tried to arrest them.

The judge said the “main point” of mitigation for both men was the signed guilty pleas, but the court also took into account their expressions of remorse and backgrounds.

He handed Tuite a sentence of six years and disqualified him from driving for six years.

Judge Nolan said Morgan was less culpable and imposed a five-year sentence.

The judge directed both men should be given credit for any time spent in custody on these matters.

Evidence was heard that gardai were called following reports of burglaries at six premises in the Premier Business Park.

As gardai arrived, they saw a blue Skoda car leaving which was being driven by Tuite. Morgan was the passenger in the front seat. This car had been stolen several days earlier, the court heard.

Tuite drove the car on the wrong side of the road and swerved into the path of the oncoming garda car in an attempt to ram it.

The patrol car activated its lights and sirens, signalling Tuite to stop, but he drove away.

During the pursuit, the car drove at speeds in excess of 140km/hr. On a roundabout, Tuite drove in a zig-zag motion, attempting to block the patrol car.

Tuite continued in the direction of the Blanchardstown Road North, then slowed down, attempting to turn towards a residential area.

The patrol car tried to overtake to prevent Tuite’s turn, but he swerved onto the wrong side of the road in an attempt to block the patrol car, which took evasive action.

Later, Tuite slowed the car on a straight stretch of road, then reversed towards the patrol car, which again took evasive action to avoid a collision.

Tuite drove through the roundabout at Blanchardstown IT on the wrong side of the road and continued through the college grounds.

Another garda patrol car arrived and Tuite drove at speed at this car, forcing it to mount the roundabout to avoid a collision.

The garda patrol cars were directed to move back to a safe distance after Tuite’s continued erratic driving was assessed as a serious risk.

Tuite continued to drive in the direction of Mulhuddart village, where another patrol car spotted the car stalled outside a garage.

This patrol car parked in front of the Skoda and attempted to arrest Morgan and Tuite.

The investigating garda told Emer Ní Chúagáin BL, prosecuting, that gardai had to use their batons to access the car and the two men violently resisted arrest.

Morgan punched one garda in the face, causing soft tissue injuries and bruising. Tuite attempted to restart the car several times and the court was told that the gardai present were concerned what would have happened if he’d succeeded.

Gardai used pepper spray to restrain the men, who were then arrested.

Four glass doors were smashed, another two doors were prised open and €1,800 of damage was caused to an intercom system during the burglaries.

CCTV obtained showed the men using implements during the burglaries, including a crowbar and a large knife which were found in the car.

When interviewed, Tuite denied the burglaries but admitted driving the car. He initially said he didn’t know this car was stolen, but later admitted he did.

Morgan admitted he was a passenger in the car, but nothing else of evidential value was obtained.

After they were charged, Tuite escaped from custody at Blanchardstown District Court by climbing a fence in the court complex. He was later found hiding in the retail park.

The investigating garda agreed with defence counsel for both men that they were intoxicated at the time and have addiction difficulties.

He also agreed with Keith Spencer BL, defending Tuite, that his client was brought to hospital following his arrest.

It was further accepted that Tuite dropped 15ft following his escape from custody, and was apprehended nearby.

The witness agreed with Oisin Clarke BL, defending Morgan, that his client’s detention was suspended due to his level of intoxication.

Defence counsel asked the court to take into account that the burglaries took place at night time in unoccupied commercial premises, that this was not a sophisticated operation, their clients’ expressions of remorse and efforts to address their addiction issues.

Mr Spencer, defending Tuite, said his client has a difficult background, but has been doing well in custody, completing courses including the driver theory test.

Mr Clarke, defending Morgan, said his client had managed to get clean, but relapsed last year following the death of his father.