Burglar took tools from building site

By Fiona Ferguson

A burglar spotted leaving a building site with a wheelbarrow full of tools has been given a three-year sentence.

Derek Smith (40) of Belclare Drive, Ballymun, pleaded guilty to burglary, criminal damage and theft at a building site in Ballymun, on November 27, 2024. He has 79 previous convictions.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Smith had “lost everything” including his livelihood during the crash and had a drug addiction.

He has been drug-free while in custody.

Passing sentence, Judge Orla Crowe noted he had made full admissions and apologised.

She said his plea was “early enough” and he had been a chronic drug user.

He is assessed as at high risk of reoffending but a prison governors report before the court was positive.

The judge said Smith was a “menace” to builders and observed tools were expensive and were used by people to earn a living.

She said the offending had arisen out of an overwhelming drug addiction, adding he was now trying to deal with this issue.

Judge Crowe imposed a three-year sentence and suspended the final three months for a year to incentivise rehabilitation which she said would be for the good of him, his family and society.

An investigating garda told Oisin Clarke BL, prosecuting, that they responded to a report of a burglary and criminal damage at a building site in Belclare Green, Ballymun.

They found damage to the window of a building there, approximately €1,000 damage, and taps had been left on.

Tools valued at €200 were missing from the building and further tools valued at €3,000 were later found to be missing from a builders’ van.

A witness told gardai they had spotted Smith walking around in hi-vis vest with a wheelbarrow full of tools in the direction of his house.

CCTV footage captured Smith pushing the wheelbarrow.

A search warrant was obtained for his address and the items taken were recovered.

Darren Lalor BL, defending, said drugs had taken control of Smith’s life and he had been at the height of his difficulties at the time.

He asked the court to structure a sentence to allow him to beat his addiction and become a useful member of society.

The court heard he is currently attending AA and crime awareness meetings in custody.