A Wexford man who entered a stranger's home in the early hours of the morning while mistakenly believing it was his sister's house has been sentenced to 10 months in prison.
Cathal Doyle (36), of Tomnahealy, Castletown, Gorey, Co Wexford, appeared before Bray District Court for sentencing after pleading guilty to a charge of burglary.
The court heard that Mr Doyle entered a property in Derreen Drive, Wicklow Town, through the front door at around 4.45am.
Giving evidence, Sergeant Mick Dee said the defendant began calling out for his sister while inside the house. The homeowner, having heard a noise downstairs, went to investigate and encountered Mr Doyle inside the property.
Mr Doyle then fled the scene, but was later identified after the occupant provided Gardaí with a description.
The court was told that Mr Doyle has a number of previous convictions, including a previous conviction for burglary.
Representing the defendant, barrister Thomas Finnerty, instructed by solicitor Therese Kearney, said his client genuinely believed he had entered his sister's home.
Mr Finnerty told the court that Mr Doyle suffers from severe alcohol problems and has an underlying brain injury. He added that the defendant is currently seeking a neurological diagnosis.
Defence counsel said Mr Doyle had fully admitted his actions during Garda interviews and consistently maintained that he had no intention of stealing anything from the property.
"It was a genuine belief that it was his sister's house," Mr Finnerty told the court.
During interview with Gardaí, Mr Doyle reportedly described himself as "an eejit" and admitted: "I was drunk."
However, Judge David Kennedy said the circumstances of the offence were particularly serious given that it occurred in the middle of the night.
The judge noted that a stranger had entered the home of someone who did not know him and said: "It must have been terrifying."
Judge Kennedy imposed a sentence of 10 months' imprisonment.
Mr Finnerty asked the court to suspend the sentence, but the judge refused, citing the timing of the incident and the distress caused to the homeowner after finding an unknown man inside her house during the early hours of the morning.
