DPP to appeal cousins’ sentence

The sentences handed down at Limerick Circuit Court on December 15 to two cousins, who were involved in a burglary in which the bachelor homeowner died of a heart attack when he went to challenge the intruders, is to be appealed by the DPP as unduly lenient.

David Casey, aged 21, from Coolock, Dublin, and Michael Casey, aged 33, of Clonlong Halting Site, Limerick, had pleaded guilty at the same court last September to carrying out the burglary at the home of John O’Donoghue, aged 62, at Toomaline, Doon, Co Limerick on the afternoon of August 27, 2015.

Judge Tom O’Donnell sentenced the Caseys to three and a half years, backdated to the date of the crime since when they have been in custody. Another two-year sentence for another attempted burglary is to run current with the three-and-a-half year tariff.