Man who broke into archbishop’s home will not be returned to jail

The 33-year-old man who broke into the Tralee home of Archbishop Dermot Clifford three years ago, escaped being sent back to prison as it seemed he has mended his ways, the Circuit Criminal Court in Tralee was told yesterday.

Michael Coffey, previously of Muing Park, Carrigeens West, Castleisland, and also of 32 Cnoc Gorm, Tralee, was before the court when the State applied to activate a one-year sentence. Coffey was given four years in prison in March 2010 with one year suspended for the burglary at Rathanny, Tralee, in July 2009.

Mr Coffey was found at the time in a drunken condition in the house, a neighbour had raised the alarm. Nothing was taken.