Longford judge makes decision on burglar who ransacked St Christopher's Special School

A man with 74 previous convictions has avoided a jail sentence for a burglary on St Christopher’s Special School.

​Derek Hickey (37) of Shangan Crescent, Ballymun, Dublin 9 pleaded guilty at Longford District Court to four offences on May 28 and May 29 last year.

The defendant was charged with burglary and entering St Christopher's Special School as a trespasser on May 29, 2025 when the facility was 'ransacked'.

Mr Hickey was also charged with trespassing at Aughatoom House Battery Road, Longford and a separate property at Druid Glen, White Linen Woods, Longford and causing 'significant' criminal damage.

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Garda David Gerrity said he was on patrol with Garda Conor Foley on May 28 when they were alerted that a burglary had occurred at St Christopher's School at approximately 2.45am.

"When we arrived at the scene the security guard brought us to the building that was broken into.

"The front door of the building had significant damage to it, there were doors damaged inside two offices and these two offices were completely ransacked.

"The manager arrived and he showed me CCTV of the incident and we could see a male wearing a blue hat and a high vis jacket walking around the school grounds."

"Myself and Garda Foley patrolled the area for a time and we did not find Derek Hickey and then at about 7.30am Garda Foley informed me that he had arrested Mr Hickey who was wearing the same clothes as the male on the CCTV on the school grounds.”

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Garda Gerrity said the defendant was then arrested and brought to Longford Garda Station where he made certain admissions during interview ‘that the male in the CCTV was him and that he did indeed carry out the burglary’.

Garda Gerrity said DNA was found at the scene and samples were sent off to Forensic Science Ireland (FSI) for analysis and they confirmed that it was a match for the defendant who was subsequently charged and he made no reply after caution.

Mr Hickey had 74 previous convictions, including 18 for burglary.

The defendant was convicted in Dublin's Criminal Courts of Justice on March 23 last for a series of thefts that occurred on March 15, 2025 and two further thefts that occurred on November 6, 2025 where he received a three month prison sentence, which was suspended for 10-months.

Garda Gerrity said Mr Hickey was also convicted on July 30, 2025 for a burglar offence that occurred in June 2024 where he was directed to complete 100 hours of community service.

Solicitor Patrick Feeney said that his client made full admissions during his interview and he was apologetic.

"He expressed remorse when he found out what St Christopher's was."

Mr Feeney said his client is a full time carer for a family member and he now maintains he is sober, however, there was no evidence in court to substantiate that.

Judge Bernadette Owens commented that Mr Hickey has an 'appalling record'.

She imposed a nine month prison sentence which she suspended for 18-months.

Judge Owens directed that a community service assessment is completed and she indicated, if suitable, she would impose 80 hours in lieu of three months before adjourning the case until September 15.