Man with 110 convictions jailed for Dublin restaurant burglary

A man with 110 previous convictions has been sentenced to two years and six months for burglary of a Dublin 8 restaurant.

Michael Joyce, 50, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to a single count of burglary committed on 3 April 2025. Garda Ben Dowling testified that a vigilant witness saw two men, one limping and using a crutch, climbing out of the premises and called the gardaí, who arrived within minutes and caught the pair “red‑handed” as they fled with the till and several iPads.

The restaurant was ransacked, its window damaged at a cost of €1,200, and it was forced to operate without a till for several days. All stolen items were recovered and returned.

Joyce’s criminal record dates back to 1993 and includes two rape convictions from the Central Criminal Court and 46 road‑traffic offences. He is a long‑term heroin user, homeless, and suffers a serious leg injury that may require amputation.

During sentencing, Judge Orla Crowe noted Joyce’s guilty plea, remorse, medical issues and supportive family, and back‑dated the term to the date of his custody.

Joyce’s co‑accused remains before the court.

Source: Dublin Gazette. Photo: Zak Chapman / Pexels.