Longford man to be sentenced over aggravated burglary
A man “in the grip of heroin addiction” who pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary will find out his fate at October's sitting of Longford Circuit Court.
Barry Keane (39) of Goshen, Edgeworthstown was charged with aggravated burglary and possession of a knife on June 3, 2022 at 25 Weavers Hall, Longford.
When the matter first came before Judge Kenneth Connolly for arraignment Mr Keane initially delayed entering a plea as he wanted to clarify that he was not the one in possession of the knife when the offence took place.
The defendant's barrister, Dara Foynes BL, explained that her client accepted his role in the offence, and acknowledged that as a knife was used he was also culpable. Ms Foynes said the defendant never sought a trial date for the matter.
The barrister described her client as being “from a decent family”. She said Mr Keane's mother passed away when he was younger and he had “self-soothed with drugs”.
“He was in the grip of heroin addiction, but he is now on a methadone programme,” Ms Foynes told the court. Counsel said a Probation and Welfare and a Governor's report would be helpful to the court in drawing up an appropriate sentence.
Judge Connolly remanded Mr Keane in custody for sentence to return before Longford Circuit Court on October 4 next.