Man jailed for series of burglaries in Cork while wearing 'distinctive Halloween mask'

The court heard he carried out three burglaries on the same night at a Maxol filling station

Sentences totalling 11 months were imposed on defendant. File picture

A distinctive Halloween mask was worn by a 37-year-old man carrying out a series of burglaries in the Douglas area of Cork around that time of the year.

Judge Mary Dorgan said it was extraordinary that the accused carried out so many burglaries in a very short space of time against a background where he had no previous convictions of any kind.

“Given the nature and amount of offences here I see no option but to give him a prison sentence. I cannot ignore the level of offending and I am conscious that no restitution can be put in place,” Judge Dorgan said.

Sentences totalling 11 months were imposed on defendant, Istvan Konyari, who was living at an apartment on Shandon Street, Cork, at Cork District Court.

Mr Konyari pleaded guilty to multiple charges in respect of October 31/November 1, 2023.

He carried out a burglary at Christy’s Floor Coverings at Grange, Douglas, on October 31. 

He carried out three burglaries on November 1 at Cocoa, Berries Bakery and Terran Electrical, in Donnybrook industrial estate. Over €3,000 worth of power tools were stolen and €1,000 worth of damage was caused at Terran Electrical. A similar level of damage was caused at Berries Bakery.

In the early hours of October 31, he carried out three burglaries at the Maxol filling station in the same area. CCTV showed him interfering with a car parked at the garage and breaking into storage units for fuel and related products on the forecourt.

Judge Dorgan remarked that it was unusual to hear that the accused had trespassed at the same garage three times in the one night.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said that CCTV of the various incidents showed the accused wearing “a distinctive Halloween mask.” Frank Buttimer, defence solicitor, said: “He literally had no previous convictions of any kind before he committed the first of these offences. All of the offences were then committed within a couple of days.

“He is a 37-year-old Hungarian national. He and his family moved to Ireland 16/17 years ago and he was doing well in Kerry where the family lived.

“When he moved to Cork he had employment. He was the victim of an assault and suffered a significant downward spiral, living in difficult circumstances. He was stealing items to get money because of his financial penury.” 

Judge Dorgan asked why he had not been working. Mr Buttimer replied: “He is quite significantly disabled. He has severe ongoing pain.”