Friday 30 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. 16508Criminal damage; theft; burglary; criminal damage to vehicles · Co. Limerick

Man jailed over string of offences including damage to Christmas lights in Glin

Between July 2021 and March 2024, Desmond Scanlon of Marion Place, Glin, committed a string of offences in Glin and Newcastle West. He stole a car in Glin on July 15, 2021, damaged path lights in Glin Town Park on January 1, 2022, stole almost €42 of goods from Tesco in Newcastle West on January 1, 2024, slashed the tyres of six vehicles in Glin village on February 11, 2024, and forced his way into two houses in Glin in March 2024. He appeared before Newcastle West District Court, where Judge Nicola Jane Andrews said she could not ignore the number of offences. The latest development is that he was jailed for six months, with the final four months suspended for two years, and the sentences were backdated to July 2.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced24 Jul
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Desmond Scanlon of Marion Place, Glin, was sentenced for a string of offences committed between 2021 and 2024.
When
  • On January 1, 2022, path lights in Glin Town Park were pulled out and thrown away, causing €1,000 worth of damage; the headline describes the damaged items as community Christmas lights.
  • On July 15, 2021, Scanlon stole a car from the main street in Glin and later made full admissions.
  • On January 1, 2024, Scanlon stole almost €42 worth of items from Tesco in Newcastle West.
  • On February 11, 2024, the tyres on six vehicles in Glin village were slashed, causing €1,100 worth of damage.
  • On March 23, 2024, Scanlon forced his way into a house in Glin and stole a TV, wifi and satellite boxes.
  • On March 31, 2024, Scanlon forced his way into a house on the main street in Glin and stole a washing machine.
Charges
The offences included criminal damage, theft, burglary and criminal damage to vehicles.
In court
  • Scanlon appeared before Newcastle West District Court.
  • Judge Nicola Jane Andrews read a letter handed into court and said she cannot ignore the amount of offences.
Sentence
  • Scanlon was jailed for six months, with the final four months suspended for two years.
  • The sentences were backdated to July 2.
Other details
  • Scanlon has 26 previous convictions.
  • Scanlon's solicitor said he comes from a difficult family background and developed a drug problem over the years.
14 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatScanlon damaged community Christmas lights in Glin. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenOn January 1, 2022, path lights in Glin Town Park were damaged, causing €1,000 worth of damage. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenOn July 15, 2021, Scanlon stole a car from the main street in Glin. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenOn March 23, 2024, Scanlon forced his way into a house in Glin and stole a TV, wifi and satellite boxes. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenOn February 11, 2024, the tyres on six vehicles in Glin village were slashed, causing €1,100 worth of damage. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenOn March 31, 2024, Scanlon forced his way into a house on the main street in Glin and stole a washing machine. (limerickleader.ie)
  • whenOn January 1, 2024, Scanlon stole almost €42 worth of items from Tesco in Newcastle West. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtDesmond Scanlon appeared before Newcastle West District Court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Nicola Jane Andrews read a letter handed into court. (limerickleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge said she cannot ignore the amount of offences. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceScanlon was jailed for six months with the final four months suspended for two years. (limerickleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentences were backdated to July 2. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherScanlon has 26 previous convictions. (limerickleader.ie)
  • otherScanlon's solicitor said he comes from a difficult family background and developed a drug problem over the years. (limerickleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Jul2024
    Sentencedlimerickleader.ie, first report
    Limerick man who vandalised Christmas lights jailed by judge

    Court report on the sentencing of Desmond Scanlon at Newcastle West District Court for several offences committed between 2021 and 2024. No existing case matches this sentencing.

    convicted, Desmond Scanlon, male, named, irish (judged from name)Desmond Scanlon