Eighteen months for man who broke into Alan Shatter's home

A father of two who broke into the Dublin home of justice minister Alan Shatter has been given an 18 months jail sentence.

Darragh Heavey of Moeran Road, Walkinstown, admitted the burglary at Delbrook Manor, Ballinteer on March 18, 2012.

When gardaí told him that Alan Shatter owned the house, the 26-year-old replied ‘who?’

He was arrested shortly afterwards when gardaí stopped him and matched his shoes to a footprint found inside the house.

Two watches were stolen - along with a bag of US coins, gardening gloves, a mini-crowbar and two screwdrivers.

He has 20 previous convictions.