Judge tells burglar with musical ambitions he will be singing 'Silent Night' in prison

Six months in jail as accused told to 'turn his life around and focus on musical career'

The accused has talent and knew he had to put his offending behind him. File picture Dan Linehan

A good young singer with musical ambitions was jailed on Friday for six months for a burglary and other crimes in Cork city and the sentencing judge said the accused would be singing ‘Silent Night’ in prison this Christmas.

Judge Mary Dorgan joked with the young man about the singing but said that he should put his criminal behaviour behind him.

“Start concentrating on your musical career and we will all be ringing you up looking for concert tickets,” Judge Dorgan said to 19-year-old Dylan Keating, of 77 Killala Gardens, Knocknaheeny, Cork, who smiled broadly during this exchange as he appeared at Cork District Court by video link from prison.

A total sentence of six months was imposed on him. Defence solicitor Aoife Buttimer said the young man definitely has musical talent and he knew he should put his offending behind him.

Sergeant John Dineen said that on September 22 at his home, Keating was in possession of two bank cards and an iPhone 8 which were not his. It transpired that the iPhone was stolen from a car at Croaghta Park, Glasheen Road, Cork. The cards were taken from a house.

On September 29, he stole a pedal cycle by forcing the bike away from the front gate of UCC, snapping the lock.

On November 1, at Lavitt’s Quay he fled from gardaí and was convicted of obstruction, being drunk and a danger, and refusing to give his name and address.

When Judge Dorgan said "he will be singing Silent Night in prison", Ms Buttimer added: “Holy Night.”

Judge Dorgan said: “Yes, Holy Night.”

Turning again to the young man on the screen from prison, the judge said: “It is really important that you would get your life back on track, particularly when you are a good singer and have opportunities.”