Muddy footprint in Minister's kitchen identified burglar

A court has heard how a muddy footprint in the kitchen of the Justice Minister’s home helped catch his burglar.

Darragh Heavey of Moeran Road, Walkinstown, Dublin has pleaded guilty to breaking into Alan Shatter’s house on March 19, 2012.

The father-of-two forced a kitchen window open and left a trail of muddy footprints leading into the hallway.

Nobody was in the house at the time and the 26-year-old took two watches and a bag of American coins that the Minister had kept in his bedside locker.

After the alarm was raised, Heavey was arrested near the scene a short time later.

The items were recovered in nearby bushes and trees along with green garden gloves, a crowbar and two screws.

The court heard how a forensic expert took a gel lift of one of the footprints left on the kitchen tiles and this matched the footwear Heavey was wearing that night.

Minister Shatter, who was in Australia for St Patrick’s Day celebrations at the time, identified the stolen items upon his return and put their value at around €80.

Judge Mary Ellen Ring has remanded Heavey in custody and adjourned sentencing until Friday.