Sunday 1 November 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 22264Burglary; criminal damage · Co. Wicklow · 9 Jan 2021

Darren Carton sentenced to six years for burglary at Mary Coughlan's home in Kilmacanogue

Darren Carton, 42, was sentenced to six years in prison (with the final year suspended) for the burglary of blues singer Mary Coughlan's home at Barchuilla Commons, Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow, on 9 January 2021, and for €4,000 worth of criminal damage to a sliding door. He was acquitted of a separate charge of threatening to kill or cause serious harm to Coughlan's son-in-law, Ciarán Farrelly.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced21 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
19 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatMary Coughlan is a blues singer (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCarton was described by the judge as a chronic drug user (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMs Coughlan was warned by her son-in-law that an intruder had a knife (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMr Kelly and Mr Farrelly attempted to catch Carton after finding him leaving one of the properties (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCarton escaped following a brief struggle (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMr Farrelly took a video of the intruder with his phone (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMr Farrelly noticed a man at a bus stop on the N11 wearing the same trousers and trainers as the burglar (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCarton comes originally from Bray, Co Wicklow (irishtimes.com)
  • whatCarton has 84 previous convictions including 25 for burglary offences (irishtimes.com)
  • whatMr Farrelly criticised Carton for showing no remorse during the trial (irishtimes.com)
  • whereCarton lived at Carraigoona Close, Kilmacanogue, Co Wicklow (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe burglary occurred on 9 January 2021 (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationOne of Carton's fingerprints was found on a parked vehicle (irishtimes.com)
  • courtJudge Patrick Quinn presided over the sentencing (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCarton was found guilty following a seven-day jury trial at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court in December (irishtimes.com)
  • courtCounsel for Carton was Justin McQuaide BL (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceCarton was sentenced to five years in prison for the burglary (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceCarton was sentenced to six years in prison with the final year suspended on condition he does not come to the attention of gardaí for 12 months (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceThe judge backdated the sentence after Carton had already spent over 18 months in custody (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 21 Feb2023
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Man sentenced to six years for burglary at singer Mary Coughlan’s home

    Sentencing report from Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Patrick Quinn imposed six years (one year suspended) for burglary and 12 months concurrent for criminal damage, backdated after Carton had spent over 18 months in custody. Carton, a chronic drug user with 84 previous convictions including 25 for burglary, was identified from a phone video and a fingerprint on a parked vehicle.

    victim, Mary Coughlan, female, irish (judged from name)Mary Coughlanconvicted, Darren Carton, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Darren Cartonvictim, Ciarán Farrelly, male, irish (judged from name)Ciarán Farrelly