By Claire Henry
A man with 110 previous convictions has been jailed after being caught “red-handed” burglarising a restaurant in Dublin.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Michael Joyce (50), of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty on his trial date to one count of burglary of a Dublin 8 restaurant on April 3, 2025.
Garda Ben Dowling told John Quirke BL, prosecuting, that in the early hours of April 3, a man was sitting in his car on his way to work when he saw two men, one later identified as Joyce, climbing out of the restaurant. He immediately called the gardaí, who arrived in minutes.
The man described in his call to the gardaí that one of the men had a limp and was using a crutch. Gardaí later identified him as Joyce.
Gardaí caught the men “red-handed” leaving the restaurant with the till and several iPads. Gardaí arrested both men at the scene.
The court heard that the restaurant had been ransacked and that the window had been damaged, costing €1,200.
All items were recovered and returned to the restaurant, but the restaurant had to operate without a till for several days.
Joyce has 110 previous convictions, which include two convictions for rape from the Central Criminal Court and 46 road traffic matters.
Joyce’s first record of conviction is from 1993.
Joyce’s co-accused is still before the court.
Gda Dowling agreed with Pieter Le Vert BL, defending, that Joyce was homeless at the time and was caught red-handed at the scene.
The garda also agreed that Joyce was limping and using a crutch at the time, as he has a significant leg injury.
Mr Le Vert said his client comes from a loving and supportive family and, upon his release from custody, they will be in a position to help him.
Counsel told the court that Joyce began drinking at the age of nine and using drugs at 17.
He became a long-term heroin user, which led to him becoming homeless.
Joyce has been told by medical professionals that he needs to have his leg amputated in the future, but he is not keen to do so. He is also unable to use his crutch while in custody.
Joyce is an enhanced prisoner, is drug-free, and is involved in education in prison.
Mr Le Vert asked the court to take into account his client’s guilty plea, his drug-free status, his personal circumstances and the difficulties that he is having while in prison.
Passing sentence on Friday, Judge Orla Crowe said a very vigilant member of the public saw both men climbing out from a shutter and acting suspiciously and contacted the gardai.
The judge noted that Joyce has 110 previous convictions, has a serious medical issue and was homeless at the time of this offence.
She said that Joyce has a large supportive family and is fortunate to be in contact with his children.
Judge Crowe took into account his guilty plea, his remorse and that custody is difficult for him due to his medical issues.
She sentenced him to two years and six months and backdated it to when he went into custody on this matter.