Teen broke into crèche three times in space of six weeks

A TEENAGER who broke into the same crèche three times in the space of six weeks causing over €17,000 worth of damage has been sentenced to four years for this and four other burglaries.

Michael Feeney (18) and two unidentified accomplices caused a total of €27,995 worth of damage during the burglary spree but only stole seven car keys, a navy blue scarf, a small amount of cash and a cash box. The vehicles to which the car keys belonged were not touched by the gang.

Feeney, of Ardmore Court, Fortunestown Lane, Tallaght, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal to the six burglaries, criminal damage and handling stolen car keys on dates between December 5, 2014 and January 16, 2015.

His 11 previous convictions include charges of criminal damage and today was his first appearance before the Circuit Court.

Feeney was identified as a suspect after gardaí viewed CCTV footage from the crèche. He was arrested at his home, where gardaí found the car keys hidden in a sock. He later made full admissions in Garda interviews.

Detective Garda David Jennings said because of the burglaries and the extent of the damage, a significant number of the children had to be sent home from the crèche.

George Burns BL, defending said his client associated with a criminal peer group and he left school at the age of 15. He was remanded in custody last July pending sentence and counsel said there was a “marked improvement” in his behaviour with Feeney’s mother instructing him: “I got my son back”.

Judge Martin Nolan said Feeney and his accomplices caused a significant amount of damage and disruption, particularly to the crèche and the school.

He said it was for Feeney to decide “whether this is the end of his custodial life or not”.

“It is up to him to decide when he emerges whether he wants to go back there or not,” the judge said.

He sentenced Feeney to four years in prison and suspended the last 18 months on condition that he engages with the Probation Service for 18 months upon his release.

Sonya McLean