Homeless man broke into house for sale in Wilton to escape cold

Glass was broken in the door of a house for sale in Wilton and blood was found on the stairs – and now a homeless man who admitted breaking in because he had nowhere to stay in the cold weather has been jailed for three months.

37-year-old William Dollard of no fixed address appeared at Cork District Court where he pleaded guilty to charges of trespassing and causing criminal damage at the house in Wilton, Cork.

The trespass occurred between October 1 and December 22 2023 after which the broken pane of glass in the door and the blood on the stairs were found, Sergeant John Kelleher said.

Mr Dollard said through his solicitor Eddie Burke that he was homeless and needed somewhere to stay due to bad weather.

Mr Burke said that he would have stayed at hostel accommodation but that for other reasons he was unable to do so.

The defendant had five previous convictions for criminal damage and two for trespassing.

Mr Burke said the accused was originally from Ballincollig but had a very difficult life and now has no contact with his family.

Judge Mary Dorgan said of the offence late last year at the house in Wilton: “It would have been a significant inconvenience to the householder getting the house ready for sale. 

"I am going to sentence him to three months on each charge concurrent.”