Cork woman 'feared for her life' when she found intruder in kitchen to be offered restorative justice

Judge said possibility of restorative justice should be examined in light of the fact the accused had turned his life around and was now in full-time employment

Sentencing hearing has been adjourned for compensation and for the question of restorative justice to be investigated. Picture: Larry Cummins

A woman in her mid-60s who feared for her life when she found an intruder hiding in her kitchen at 3am is to be given the offer of restorative justice in the case against the 32-year-old man.

Judge Mary Dorgan also told the accused man he should now be gathering compensation for the victim as he has turned his life around and is now in full-time employment.

Judge Dorgan said the possibility of restorative justice should be examined in light of the fact the accused had turned his life around. The probation service indicated gardaí would have to approach the injured party regarding restorative justice to see if she would be interested in it.

The crime dates back to 2018 and the victim is now aged 70.

“The important thing is that this man is not going to be a bother to her in the future.

“I need to know [by confirmation from gardaí] that you have not offended since. That will keep you out of prison. You are engaging with the probation service and you are sober — that is what judges like to see," Judge Dorgan said.

“This [the offences] was not edifying but the probation report is edifying — it is very helpful. But he is before the court for matters that are serious by district court standards,” Judge Dorgan said, in comments addressed to the accused man, 32-year-old Stephen O’Donovan, of 1 Peter’s Street, Cork.

Victim impact statement

The victim was alone in her flat on Abbey Street, Cork, when the burglary occurred. She said: “The terror I felt when I entered the kitchen to see you crouching there at three o’clock in the morning. I am a woman alone here. I was in fear for my life. I have nightmares over this and why you did this… I just exist here now — it’s not my home.” 

Judge Dorgan read this section of the victim impact statement at the sentencing hearing, which has now been adjourned again for compensation and for the question of restorative justice to be investigated.

Evidence was previously given that the victim discovered a man in her kitchen who clenched his fist at her before leaving through the back window, which was open. Cash of €15 was taken in the course of the burglary.

Gardaí and scenes of crime officers attended the scene. An empty vodka bottle was left in the kitchen which had been brought to the house. The item was forensically tested. It was not until June 2022 that a DNA match to the accused was established.

He was before Cork District Court on Tuesday for sentencing on this burglary and other charges. The burglary dates back to September 23, 2018. He pleaded guilty to other charges too. On dates in October 2022 he stole items from Tesco on Paul Street and from 53 Degrees North, also on Paul Street. And in May 21, 2022, he stole bottles of spirits at the Kino cinema on Washington Street.

The case was adjourned until July 22 for that purpose.