Man jailed for break-in at Shatter’s home

A burglar who broke into Justice Minister Alan Shatter’s home while on bail was given a three-year jail term with 18 months suspended.

Darragh Heavey, aged 26, was arrested shortly after the break-in when gardaí stopped him and matched his shoes with muddy footprints found inside Mr Shatter’s home.

Heavey of Moeran Road, Walkinstown, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to burglary at Delbrook Manor, Ballinteer, on Mar 18, 2012.

Judge Mary Ellen Ring imposed a three-year jail term but suspended the last 18 months on the condition that Heavey keep the peace for two years after his release. The sentence must be consecutive to the sentence currently being served.

During a search around the minister’s home gardaí found two watches, a bag of US coins, gardening gloves, a mini-crowbar and two screwdrivers.

Heavey has 20 previous convictions, and on July 7, 2012 he was sentenced to four years with 18 months suspended for the firearms offences.

Sgt Eugene Stapleton said when Heavey was told who the owner of the house was, he replied: “Who’s that?”