Cork man burgled home while couple visited seriously ill child in hospital

Man sentenced to three years in prison after stealing cash being saved for a family holiday

The court heard the crime has a 'chilling effect' on the owners of the Cork property.

A couple visiting their seriously ill young son in hospital were deeply upset to return home to find that their home had been burgled and now the burglar has been jailed for three years.

Judge Helen Boyle said the burglary has had a chilling effect on the couple who were at a loss of €2,000 in cash that they were saving for a family holiday. This was stolen and never returned.

Defendant David O’Sullivan, aged 39, of 10 Dunmanus Park, Knocknaheeny, Cork, was given a sentence of three years and eight months by Judge Boyle with the last eight months suspended at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge Boyle said: “I accept you had a difficult childhood. And that by your own admission you struggle to remain drug-free after prison sentences. I am told you are eight weeks free of illicit substances now.

“You have multiple previous convictions. Unsurprisingly, you are at a very high risk of reoffending.

“You apologise to the victims for your actions. You accept it had a severe impact on the victims and that you have left everyone down by your behaviour.

“Because of significant relevant previous convictions I impose three years and eight months with the final eight months suspended.”

O’Sullivan signed a plea of guilty to the crime. He admitted carrying out the burglary on May 10, 2025, at a house at Mount Sion Rd, Greenmount, Cork. Cash and a laptop were taken during the burglary.

Detective Garda Conor Cronin said the couple left their home to visit their son in hospital. They returned to find their holiday savings gone, along with a Dell laptop computer and a £50 note.

The detective said the accused was clearly identified on CCTV and arrested at his home, where the £50 note was also found. On the way to Gurranabraher garda station, he told gardaí where the laptop could be found at another house in the area. It was recovered and returned to the owners but they remain at a loss of the €2,000.

Jessica Kelleher barrister said the defendant had a chronic addiction to cocaine and heroin over the past 20 years.

Ms Kelleher said: “He has been in custody since May 2025. He told gardaí where the laptop was and it was recovered. His chronic addiction forms the background to his offending behaviour.

“He prepared an apology letter. He has been engaging well in prison and has a number of certificates to prove that. There is a probation report that outlines the background to the matter. It is hard to get away from the fact that he is at a very high risk of re-offending.

“He has never had an opportunity to deal with his addiction difficulties. He is apologetic,” the defence barrister said.

She presented certificates for courses the defendant attended in prison, including a parenting course.

Judge Boyle said in the course of sentencing: “It clearly had serious impact on the victims who do not feel safe in their own home. It has had a chilling effect on them.”