Ireland Midlands man jailed for one year after suspended sentence revoked over Edenderry criminal damage
Matthew Cummins (29), an Offaly man, pleaded guilty to criminal damage after he and another man forced the door of a couple's apartment in Edenderry on 29 May 2022, an offence caught on CCTV. He was sentenced on 5 December 2023 to two and a half years with the final year suspended. The judge then revoked the two-year suspension and imposed a one-year jail term backdated to 5 December 2023 with nothing suspended, a decision reported on 12 December 2023 as a "further chance". Cummins has 69 recorded convictions and had admitted his role in the 2014 murder of Dooley, including trying to burn the body, and the one-year jail term reported in December 2023 is the latest development.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced12 Dec
3 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Matthew Cummins, 29, pleaded guilty to criminal damage to an apartment block door.
- When
- The criminal damage took place on 29 May 2022.
- Where
- The criminal damage was to an apartment block door in Edenderry, Co Offaly.
- Cause
- Cummins and another man forced the door of a couple's apartment, claiming they were looking for a third man.
- Investigation
- Cummins and the other man were caught on CCTV.
- Charges
- Cummins pleaded guilty to damaging the door.
- In court
- Case facts say Cummins was sentenced at Tullamore Circuit Criminal Court on 5 December 2023, while the articles say the Central Criminal Court.
- The State sought reactivation of the suspended part of his nine-year sentence, and the judge, Ms Justice Siobhan Lankford, said Cummins deserved a further chance.
- Sentence
- On 5 December 2023 Cummins was sentenced to two and a half years' imprisonment with the final year suspended.
- The two-year suspension was revoked and replaced with a one-year jail term backdated to 5 December 2023, with no portion suspended, as reported on 12 December 2023.
- Other details
- Cummins had 69 recorded convictions by the time of the sentencing.
- Cummins had admitted his role in the 2014 murder of Dooley at Dooley's home in Edenderry.
- Cummins admitted being responsible for burn marks on Dooley's legs and chair after trying to set fire to the body to destroy evidence.
- Cummins was released from prison in September 2021 after serving seven years in custody.
- The victim is named Thomas Dooley in the case facts and Toddy Dooley in the articles.
23 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMatthew Cummins, 29, was given a further chance by the judge. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whatCummins was jailed for one year instead of having the two suspended years reactivated. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatThe triggering offence was criminal damage in Edenderry on May 29 of the previous year. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe criminal damage was to an apartment block door in Edenderry, Co Offaly. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe criminal damage was to an apartment block door in Edenderry. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- whenThe criminal damage took place on 29 May 2022. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe criminal damage took place in Edenderry on 29 May 2022. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- causeCummins and another man forced the door of a couple's apartment, claiming they were looking for a third man. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationCummins and the other man were caught on CCTV. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- chargeCummins pleaded guilty to damaging the door. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge said Cummins deserved a further chance. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- courtThe State sought reactivation of the suspended part of his nine-year sentence. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtCummins was sentenced at Tullamore Circuit Criminal Court on December 5 for criminal damage to an apartment block door in Edenderry. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceCummins was sentenced to two-and-a-half years' imprisonment with the final year suspended on 5 December 2023. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe judge said she would revoke the two-year suspension and substitute a one-year jail sentence. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceThe one-year jail term was backdated to 5 December 2023 with no portion suspended. (offalyexpress.ie, leinsterexpress.ie)
- sentenceCummins pleaded guilty to damaging the door and received two and a half years with the final year suspended. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceThe one-year jail term was backdated to December 5 with no portion suspended. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherBy the time of the earlier sentencing, Cummins had 69 recorded convictions. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherBy the time of the December 2023 sentencing, Cummins had 69 recorded convictions. (leinsterexpress.ie)
- otherCummins had admitted his role in the 2014 murder of Thomas Dooley at Dooley's home in Edenderry. (leinsterexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- otherBy the time of the Tullamore sentencing Cummins had 69 recorded convictions. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherCummins admitted being responsible for burn marks on Dooley's legs and chair, after trying to set fire to the body to destroy evidence. (longfordleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 13 Dec2023Midlands man who tried to burn murder victim given 'further chance' by judge
Reports the Central Criminal Court re-sentencing hearing: Ms Justice Lankford revoked the two-year suspension and imposed a one-year jail term backdated to December 5, with background on the 2014 murder case and Cummins's earlier re-sentencing.
convicted, Matthew Cummins, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cummins - 12 Dec2023Midlands man who tried to burn murder victim given 'further chance' by judge
Judge Lankford revoked the two-year suspension and substituted a one-year jail term, backdated to 5 December 2023. The court heard Cummins had 69 recorded convictions and had admitted his role in the 2014 murder of Thomas Dooley.
convicted, Matthew Cummins, 29, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cummins - 12 Dec2023Offaly man who tried to burn murder victim's body given 'further chance' by judge
Reports the Central Criminal Court sentencing outcome: the suspended two-year term was revoked and replaced with a one-year jail sentence backdated to 5 December 2023. Adds background on Cummins's murder-related history and prior convictions.
convicted, Matthew Cummins, 29, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matthew Cummins