Burglary suspect Man accused of breaking into garda office at Dublin Castle and stealing from officer's locker

A suspected burglar broke into the garda roads policing office in Dublin Castle and stole a radio, pepper spray and shirts from an officer's locker, it is alleged.

Myles Howe (47) is accused of getting into the building’s locker room where he took the belongings, most of which were never recovered.

He is facing trial after a judge ruled the case was too serious to be dealt with at district court level.

Judge Brian O’Shea remanded Mr Howe on continuing bail, for the preparation of a book of evidence.

Mr Howe, with an address at Carman’s Hall, Dublin 8 is charged with burglary - entering a building as a trespasser and committing a theft.

The offence is alleged to have happened at the garda roads policing office at Dublin Castle on August 22 last year.

A garda sergeant told Dublin District Court the DPP was consenting to summary disposal of the case at district court level subject to the judge considering the issue of jurisdiction.

Outlining the prosecution’s case, she said it was alleged Mr Howe entered the office on the day and went to the male locker room, where he searched a garda’s locker.

It was alleged he took a number of items - incapacitant spray, a radio and two garda shirts from the locker before leaving.

When the burglary was investigated, the spray was recovered but the rest of the items were not, the sergeant said.

The accused was identified on CCTV and later arrested and charged.

“This was in Dublin Castle itself,” Judge O’Shea said. “I can’t understand for the life of me how the DPP thinks that is a minor offence.”

The judge refused jurisdiction and adjourned the case to a date in April for the preparation of a book of evidence. Defence solicitor Daniel Hanahoe consented to this.

The court heard following the refusal of jurisdiction, the DPP was consenting to the accused being sent forward to Dublin Circuit Criminal Court either for trial or on a signed plea of guilty if that should arise.

The accused was not required to address the court during the brief hearing. The charge against him is under Section 12 of the Theft and Fraud Offences Act.

Download the Sunday World app

Now download the free app for all the latest Sunday World News, Crime, Irish Showbiz and Sport. Available on Apple and Android devices

Online Editors