Burglar with 214 convictions jailed for 10 years for Dublin burglaries
Andrew Cleary, 50, of no fixed abode and with 214 previous convictions, entered seven homes across Dublin between October 2024 and July 2025, stealing items to sell to feed his polysubstance drug addiction. In a Ranelagh burglary a victim gave him his wallet and was told to lock the door and not come out, while in a Killiney burglary the homeowner watched Cleary in real time on a security camera app before Gardaí apprehended him holding two bags. Cleary pleaded guilty to multiple counts of burglary, theft, trespass, criminal damage, and one count of aggravated burglary at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Ms Justice Patricia Ryan sentenced him to 10 years' imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended on strict conditions.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced24 Oct
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Andrew Cleary, 50, of no fixed abode, with 214 previous convictions, entered seven homes across Dublin and stole laptops, phones, alcohol, sunglasses, wallets, jewellery, and an iPad, most of which were later returned to owners.
- In a Ranelagh burglary the victim gave Cleary his wallet and was told to lock the door and not come out.
- In a Killiney burglary the homeowner spotted Cleary on his security camera app in real time, windows of two high-value SUVs were smashed, and Gardaí apprehended two men at the home, one of whom was Cleary holding two bags.
- Cause
- Cleary was stealing items to sell to feed his polysubstance drug addiction.
- Where
- The burglaries took place at locations including Sandymount, Killiney, Rathgar, Rathmines, and Ranelagh in Dublin.
- When
- The burglaries occurred between October 2024 and July 2025.
- Charges
- Cleary pleaded guilty to multiple counts of burglary, theft, trespass, criminal damage, and one count of aggravated burglary.
- In court
- The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court before Ms Justice Patricia Ryan.
- Sentence
- Cleary was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended on strict conditions.
- Other details
- Cleary is doing well in custody, undertaking courses, and is an enhanced prisoner; Probation Services identified him as needing an intensive supervision regime upon release.
18 statements extracted from the articles
- whatAndrew Cleary is 50 years old and of no fixed abode (irishmirror.ie)
- whatAndrew Cleary has 214 previous convictions (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe Ranelagh victim gave Cleary his wallet and was told to lock the door and not come out (irishmirror.ie)
- whatIn the Killiney burglary, the homeowner spotted Cleary on his security camera app while watching the burglary in real time (irishmirror.ie)
- whatIn the Killiney burglary, windows of two high-value SUVs were smashed and home keys were taken (irishmirror.ie)
- whatGardaí apprehended two men at the Killiney home, one of whom was Cleary holding two bags (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCleary entered seven homes in total (irishmirror.ie)
- whatItems stolen included laptops, phones, alcohol, sunglasses, wallets, jewellery, and an iPad (irishmirror.ie)
- whatMost of the stolen items were returned to the owners (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCleary has polysubstance drug difficulties (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCleary is doing well in custody, undertaking courses, and is an enhanced prisoner (irishmirror.ie)
- whatCleary was identified by Probation Services as needing an intensive supervision regime upon release (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe burglaries took place at locations including Sandymount, Killiney, Rathgar, Rathmines, and Ranelagh in Dublin (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe burglaries occurred between October 2024 and July 2025 (irishmirror.ie)
- causeCleary was stealing items to sell to feed his drug addiction (irishmirror.ie)
- chargeCleary pleaded guilty to multiple counts of burglary, theft, trespass, criminal damage, and one count of aggravated burglary (irishmirror.ie)
- courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court before Ms Justice Patricia Ryan (irishmirror.ie)
- sentenceCleary was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended on strict conditions (irishmirror.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 24 Oct2026Burglar with 214 convictions jailed after homeowner spotted him on app
Reports the sentencing of Andrew Cleary to 10 years for a spate of burglaries and one aggravated burglary across Dublin, including details of the Ranelagh knife incident and the Killiney burglary spotted via a security camera app.
convicted, Andrew Cleary, 50, male, named, irish (judged from name)Andrew Clearyvictim, malevictim, male