Woman chased burglar through Dundalk and wrestled back stolen goods

Dundalk Circuit Court has heard how a man who carried out a burglary at a family home in between signing on at the local garda station, was chased by the victim after she saw him walk out of her front door carrying a karaoke machine and other stolen items.

​Leigh Kearney (31) from O'Hanlon Park, Dundalk pleaded guilty on the day of his trial in June after his Defence team was presented with CCTV footage which showed him wearing the same clothing from the burglary, when he initially signed on.

He admitted a charge of burglary at an address at Cathedral View on the Rampart Road on March 8th last year.

The court heard the victim, whose three children were not at home at the time, was lying upstairs, when she heard noises downstairs.

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When she looked outside she saw a man coming out of her front door carrying alcohol, cosmetics and a karaoke machine before he fled the scene on an electric scooter.

The intruder, who was wearing a black mask and a black body warmer and had his hood up, had gained entry to the house as one of the woman's daughters had left the door unlocked.

Prosecutor Steven Dixon BL outlined how the victim had rushed downstairs and got into her own car and pursued the man who turned onto River Lane, where he got held up by traffic on the one-way street.

She got out and a struggle ensued and both of them ended up on the ground.

The stolen property was dropped on the ground and Leigh Kearney threatened "I will stab you".

All the while, the victim was shouting "He robbed me".

The court was told the woman hurt her leg and lower back during the struggle but investigating Garda Cathal Brady said "It was as a result of the struggle on the ground - rather than being struck".

Leigh Kearney then got on to his e-scooter and made his way onto Park Street and home to O'Hanlon Park via the Demesne.

CCTV footage from various businesses and homes along the route was obtained which tracked him through the town to his address.

It also showed him sitting on the karaoke machine as he left Cathedral View on his e-scooter.

Footage from Dundalk Garda Station showed Leigh Kearney wearing the same clothing when he signed on there at 3.15pm and he was seen returning home around 4.12pm.

He left there at 5.06pm and by the time he returned to sign on at the garda station for the second time that day, he had changed his clothing.

At all times an Evercross electric scooter was his mode of transport.

Leigh Kearney was arrested at his home two days after the burglary and denied it was him when he was shown the CCTV footage during what was described as "primarily a "no comment interview'.

On March 12th 2025, a search warrant was executed at his home and the e-scooter was recovered from the kitchen, along with black Nike runners, and a black gilet.

In her victim impact statement which was read to the court in her absence, the woman said it was extremely frightening and deeply unsettling when she realised there was an intruder in her home.

It had been a place of safety for her but she is now anxious about being home alone.

She now takes sleeping tablets, has installed security cameras and has an increased sense of vulnerability.

At the time the defendant was on bail for false imprisonment, aggravated burglary and assault causing harm at Barrack Street, Dundalk on September 22nd 2024 during which a woman was seriously injured.

Leigh Kearney had 17 previous convictions and was sentenced in May for two separate cases - the first in time was for violent disorder for which he received an 18 month sentence and a consecutive 11 years for the Barrack Street incident, for which he was sentenced to 11 years.

The court heard the longer sentence is due to begin in November 2027.

Defence barrister Ronan O'Carroll BL told the court his client wasn't admitted to bail and has been in custody ever since his arrest and explained that the guilty plea was entered after the footage showing the sequence of events was served as additional evidence shortly before the trial.

He said until then the only footage where he was clearly identifiable was when he was abiding by his bail conditions and entered Dundalk Garda Station. In the other footage "it's a hooded individual" but he said the additional evidence "pieced together his movements".

Mr O'Carroll said his client has a difficulty with alcohol and drugs and had a very chaotic upbringing and "was almost destined to come to the attention of gardaí" although he added that Mr Kearney's father had tried to do his very best.

The barrister added that once Leigh Kearney is removed from his peers and from those who have had a negative influence on his life "he stays out of trouble".

He said the defendant is serving a substantial sentence and he had instructions that "He's doing well" and intends to free himself of drugs. He is remaining sober and clean and is intoxicant free while in custody.

Mr O'Carroll stressed that while the guilty was late in the day until then "there were a lot of question marks and nothing pointing the finger at Mr Kearney".

The lawyer said the defendant expressed his apologies to the homeowner.

He was intoxicated at the time, having been drinking in a friend's home nearby and he "entered into the wrong house" where he saw the items.

Mr O'Carroll said it was "opportunism" and his client "did not set out that day to do this".

Judge Dara Hayes noted the victim in the Barrack Street incident had sustained injuries which was reflected by an effective sentence of 12 and a half years, with the final 18 mnths suspended, which included the 18 months imposed for the separate violent disorder prosecution.

He said the victim in this case "doesn't have the same peace of mind" when she is home alone now and has an increased feeling of vulnerability and what had happened had changed the way she feels about her personal safety.

Judge Hayes said while this was not as serious a burglary as the previous sentence, it was an aggravating factor that it took place in an occupied domestic premises although there was no confrontation while he was in the woman's home, there was shortly afterwards.

He imposed a three year sentence, but to allow for a period of Probation Service supervision that was recommended in the previous case, he would suspend the final 21 months for 21 months on Leigh Kearney entering a good behaviour bond.

That sentence, which amounts to a further jail term of 15 months, is consecutive to the aggravated burglary sentence

As part of the terms of the suspended portion of his sentence, Leigh Kearney must keep all of his appointments with the Probation Service, place himself under its supervision for 12 months post release, follow all directions and engage with offence-focused work.

He was also directed to engage with counselling or treatment as directed and engage with the Probation Service while in custody in order to assist with his post custody supervision.