Burglar who broke into business and school on same day jailed for further six months

Tom Tuite

A serial burglar with more than 180 criminal convictions who stole five laptop computers, a cheque book and a mobile phone during break-ins at a school and a business in Dublin has been jailed for six months.

Zachary Purcell (34), of no fixed abode, admitted the offences when he appeared before Judge Bryan Smyth at Dublin District Court.

During the two incidents last year, the court heard that he broke into Gaelscoil Coláiste Mhuire, an Irish-medium primary school in Dublin city centre, by “forcing entry through the front door”.

On the same date, he broke into a business premises at Gardiner Place and stole five laptops and a phone worth €3,500, which were never recovered.

He was charged after gardaí carried out technical examinations of the crime scenes.

Judge Smyth heard Purcell had 183 offences on his record.

He was jailed for 16 months in January for burglary and criminal damage.

Pleading for leniency, defence solicitor John Quinn asked the judge to note that Purcell had a severe drug addiction but made “huge progress in custody”.

Judge Smyth heard Purcell was off drugs, and certificates he obtained were handed into court.

Sentencing Purcell, Judge Smyth noted his prior burglary convictions and that the stolen property was not located.

He took into account his progress in custody, adding: “I feel a custodial sentence is warranted”, and ordered it to run consecutively to the 16-month sentence imposed in January.