Burglar jailed after being caught halfway through kitchen window

A youth with 90 previous convictions was caught halfway through a window of a home he was trying to burgle, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard.

Robert McHugh (aged 20) was jailed for 18 months by Judge Martin Nolan. He was caught after the occupant of a flat restrained him as he tried to climb in a small window.

Mc Hugh of Crinan Strand, Store Street pleaded guilty to attempted burglary at Mountjoy Square on July 26, 2010. His previous convictions date from 2006 and include weapons, drugs and burglary offences.

Judge Nolan noted McHugh’s “dreadful” record and said he “doesn’t know what to do with him except jail him”.

Garda Alan McCarthy told prosecuting counsel, Mr Maurice Coffey BL, he responded to an emergency call during the night and met a woman outside who said her husband was restraining someone in the kitchen.

McHugh was halfway through a small kitchen window with “his legs hanging out”. The husband had been woken by a crashing sound and caught McHugh as he tried to squeeze in the window.

He was arrested and made full admissions in interview. He said he was high on tablets and looking for a bicycle to steal when he spotted the open window.

Defence counsel, Mr Justin McQuade BL, said his client had a troubled upbringing and had spent most of his childhood in State or foster care. He added that McHugh suffers from ADHD and epilepsy.