Dublin man with 118 previous convictions jailed over theft of Peugeot 206

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Sean Keenan (28), previously of Rosse Court Heights, Balgaddy, Co. Dublin, pleaded guilty to stealing a car and car keys from an address in Holywell View, Swords, Dublin, on September 17, 2022.

Keenan has 118 previous convictions, which include convictions for theft, criminal damage, assault, public order and road traffic offences.

Passing sentence today, Judge Martin Nolan said, “this man has not been dealt the best hand in life” and noted Kennan’s long history of previous convictions.

Judge Nolan said the mitigating factors in this case were his early guilty plea, his admissions, and his good cooperation with the gardai.

Judge Nolan sentenced Keenan to 27 months in prison and suspended the final 12 months for 12 months. He also ordered that Keenan be placed under the supervision of the Probation Services for one-year post-release.

Garda Brian Murphy told Jane Murphy, BL, prosecuting, that the car owner woke up on the morning in question at 8am and noticed that his Peugeot 206 was missing from the driveway and his car keys were missing from the car hook in the hall.

Gda Murphy said CCTV footage was obtained, which showed a man acting suspiciously in that area. This man was then identified as Keenan. A search warrant was issued for his house, and clothing matching that seen on CCTV was seized. The Peugeot car was also parked in the apartment block carpark.

The court heard that Keenan was arrested, detained and interviewed. During his interview, he made admissions to the gardai.

He said he could not remember what he did with the car keys of the Peugeot as he had been intoxicated and under the influence of drugs at the time. He told gardai that he had used a fishing hook to take the car keys. The car was undamaged and returned to the owner.

Keenan is currently serving a three-year prison sentence and is due to be released in May 2025.

Gda Murphy agreed with Nicola Cox BL, defending, that it was apparent during his interview with gardai that a guilty plea would be forthcoming.

The garda agreed with counsel that her client grew up in very tragic circumstances and spent a significant period of time in foster care.

Ms Cox said her client has suffered from homelessness and drug addictions in the past. She described Keenan as a vulnerable man.

Counsel said her client is asking the court not to add to his current sentence. She said that Keenan has no support or visitors coming to see him while he is in prison.