Teenager admits Customs House burglary

A teenager who took part in a burglary of the offices of the Department of the Environment, in the Custom House in Dublin, has been remanded on bail pending sentence.

A 17-year-old boy has been charged at the Dublin Children’s Court with entering the Custom House to commit a theft on May 21 last.

He was remanded in custody to St Patrick’s Institution for one week, when he is also to face non-related criminal damage charges.

However, 18-year-old adult co-defendant, Alan White, with an address at Sean O’Casey Avenue, in Dublin 1, yesterday pleaded guilty to taking part in the Custom House burglary.

Garda Les O’Rourke, of Fitzgibbon Street station told Judge Aingeal Ní Chonduin “the accused and two other males entered the Custom House and took three laptop computers.”

“One of the laptops was found on him and he made full admissions and was co-operative,” Garda O’Rourke said adding that all of the stolen property was recovered.

The court heard White had 36 previous convictions including several for burglaries and thefts and he had recently finished a sentence.

His solicitor John Quinn said White’s parents were deceased and he has “only just come out of St Patrick’s Institution.” At the time of the offence he had been taking sleeping tablets.

White intended to commence a training course, had pleaded guilty and co-operated with gardai, Mr Quinn told Judge Ní Chonduin.

White told the court that while he was in custody he had been attending classes and was now “trying to keep my head down.”

Judge Ní Chonduin sought a probation report on him prior to sentence and adjourned the case until January.

She warned White that she was considering a ten month sentence and added that would certainly be imposed if he failed to co-operate with the Probation Service or committed a further offence.