Thursday 5 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. 29987Attempted burglary with intent to rape; harassment · Co. Cork · 27 Jul 2020

Man sentenced for attempted burglary with intent to rape in Cork

In July 2020, James Steele, 52, was caught in a Garda surveillance sting as he was about to break into the home of Una Ring, 43, in Youghal, Co. Cork, while masked with a hat and snood and carrying a crowbar, rope, duct tape and a sex toy. He was charged with attempted burglary with intent to rape and admitted to harassment and related charges. In February 2021, he was sentenced to nine years at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, with the final two years suspended, bringing the custodial term to five years. In September 2021, Ring spoke at a Seanad private members' debate calling for stalking to be made a criminal offence.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced22 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A man masked with a hat and snood, carrying a crowbar, rope, duct tape and a sex toy, was about to break into a woman's home.
Where
Youghal, Co. Cork.
When
27 July 2020.
Investigation
He was caught in a Garda surveillance sting.
Charges
He was charged with attempted burglary with intent to rape and admitted to harassment and related charges.
In court
In February 2021, he was sentenced at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
He received a headline sentence of nine years, with the last two years suspended, for a total of five years behind bars.
Other details
  • Una Ring said she believed he would walk out after three years if two years were taken for good behaviour.
  • Una Ring and Eve McDowell gave an introduction to a private members' debate in the Seanad on making stalking a criminal offence.
8 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatHe was masked with a hat and snood and had rope and duct tape in his pockets. (extra.ie)
  • weaponHe had a crowbar and a sex toy strapped to himself inside his pants. (extra.ie)
  • investigationHe was caught in a Garda surveillance sting as he was about to break into her home. (extra.ie)
  • chargeHe also admitted to harassment and related charges. (extra.ie)
  • courtIn February 2021, he was given a headline sentence of nine years at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. (extra.ie)
  • sentenceThe last two years of his sentence were suspended, bringing the total to five years behind bars. (extra.ie)
  • otherUna Ring said she believed he would walk out after serving just three years if two years were taken for good behaviour. (extra.ie)
  • otherUna Ring and Eve McDowell will give an introduction to the private members' debate in the Seanad on Wednesday. (extra.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 22 Sep2021
    Sentencedextra.ie, first report
    Woman whose stalker planned to break into her home & rape her wants law change - Extra.ie

    Article reports the details of the crime and sentencing in the context of a Seanad private members' debate on making stalking a criminal offence, where Una Ring and Eve McDowell will speak.

    victim, Una Ring, 43, female, irish (judged from name)Una Ringconvicted, James Steele, 52, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Steele