Thursday 29 October 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. 7737Aggravated burglary · Co. Dublin · 27 Jul 2023

Elderly homeowner fights off four-man burglary gang in Coolock, Dublin

At about 4.40am on Thursday 27 July 2023, a number of men, described as a four-man gang, forced entry to a home in Dunree Park, Coolock, Dublin 5, waking the homeowner, a man in his 80s. After an altercation with the homeowner, who received medical treatment, the men fled in a silver estate-style car, possibly a 2000s Renault Megane, without taking any items. Gardaí issued a witness appeal on 29 July 2023 and are treating the incident as an aggravated burglary, with the investigation ongoing. On 30 July 2023 the Irish Times reported that the intruders were likely part of a burglary gang active in the area in recent months.

  1. Reported27 Jul
    3 reports
  2. Arrested
  3. Charged
  4. In court
  5. Verdict
  6. Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A number of males, described as a four-man gang, forced entry to a property and woke the homeowner, a man in his 80s.
  • An altercation followed between the homeowner and the intruders, after which the male suspects fled and got into a vehicle parked outside.
Where
The break-in took place in Dunree Park, Coolock, in the Dublin 5 area.
When
Gardaí received a report at about 4.40am on Thursday 27 July 2023.
Other details
  • No items were taken, and the gang fled without taking anything.
  • The homeowner received medical treatment, and his injuries are not believed to be serious.
  • The getaway car was a silver estate-style car, possibly a 2000s registered Renault Megane, which left over a grass margin and drove briefly on the wrong side of the Malahide Road.
  • Early indications suggest the intruders are likely part of a burglary gang active in the area in recent months.
Investigation
  • Gardaí are treating the break-in as an aggravated burglary, and a technical examination of the scene has been carried out.
  • Gardaí are appealing for information on the car and on erratic driving or unusual activity between 1am and 5am on 27 July 2023, and the investigation is ongoing.
32 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA number of males gained access to a property after forcing entry, waking the homeowner. (garda.ie)
  • whatAn altercation followed between the homeowner and the intruders, after which the male suspects fled and entered a vehicle parked outside. (garda.ie)
  • whatA number of males forced entry to a property in Dunree Park, Coolock, Dublin, and awakened the homeowner. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatAn altercation followed between the homeowner, a man in his 80s, and the intruders. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatThe male suspects fled the scene and got into a vehicle parked outside. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whatA man in his 80s fought off a burglary gang that broke into his home. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe burglary took place in Dunree Park, Coolock, in the Dublin 5 area. (garda.ie)
  • whereThe incident took place in Dunree Park, Coolock, Dublin. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whereThe break-in happened in Dunree Park, Coolock, Dublin 5. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenGardaí received a report at about 4:40am. (garda.ie)
  • whenThe incident happened at approximately 4.40am on Thursday 27 July. (irishmirror.ie)
  • whenThe break-in happened at 4.40am. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe break-in happened last Thursday. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí carried out a technical examination of the scene and the investigation is ongoing. (garda.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are appealing for anyone with information about the incident to come forward. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are asking for information on erratic driving or other activity in the area between 1am and 5am on 27 July 2023. (garda.ie)
  • investigationThe getaway vehicle was reported as a silver estate style car, possibly a 2000s registered Renault Megane. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí conducted a technical examination of the scene and investigations are ongoing. (irishmirror.ie)
  • investigationGardaí are treating the break-in as an aggravated burglary. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationGardaí from the Technical Bureau analysed the scene and investigations are ongoing. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationInvestigators are asking people who saw erratic driving or unusual activity between 1am and 5am last Thursday to come forward. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe getaway vehicle was a silver estate style car, reported as possibly a 2000s registered Renault Megane. (garda.ie)
  • otherThe vehicle left Dunree Park over a grass margin and drove for a short distance on the wrong side of the Malahide Road. (garda.ie)
  • otherThe homeowner received medical treatment. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • otherNo items were taken during the incident. (garda.ie, irishmirror.ie)
  • otherThe four-man gang fled without taking anything after being confronted by the homeowner. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherEarly indications suggest the intruders are likely part of a burglary gang active in the area in recent months. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe gang fled after an altercation with the homeowner and got into a parked vehicle. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe getaway car may have been a silver Renault Megane. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe getaway car was driven over the grass onto the Malahide Road. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe car was driven on the wrong side of the Malahide Road for a short period. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe homeowner received medical treatment and his injuries are not believed to be serious. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 30 Jul2023
    Reportedirishtimes.com, first report
    Elderly homeowner fought off burglary gang during Dublin break-in

    First report of the incident. Adds the victim's age, the 4.40am timing, the getaway car and route, the suspected link to a local burglary gang, and the appeal for witnesses and information.

    victim, 80s, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, malesuspect, male
  2. 29 Jul2023
    Reportedirishmirror.ie, follow-up
    Appeal for witnesses following aggravated burglary on man in his 80s in Dublin

    First report of the incident. Adds the Dunree Park location, the altercation with the homeowner, the suspects' getaway car, and a witness appeal.

    victim, 80s, malesuspect, male
  3. 27 Jul2023
    Reportedgarda.ie, follow-up
    Witness Appeal - Aggravated Burglary, Coolock, Dublin 5, Thursday 27th July 2023

    Garda witness appeal issued 29 July 2023 with details of the suspected getaway car (possibly a 2000s Renault Megane) and a 1am to 5am window for reports of erratic driving. It states no items were taken and the homeowner received medical treatment.

    victim, 80s, malesuspect, male