Ireland Case No. 6655False imprisonment; assault causing harm; robbery; threat to kill · Co. Dublin · 6 Mar 2023
Richard Kearney jailed for eight years over attacks on woman and priests while on temporary release
In March 2023 in Dublin, Richard Kearney (42) falsely imprisoned his former prison chaplain, forced his way into an 86-year-old woman's home to assault and rob her, and attacked two priests in Clondalkin while on temporary release from a life sentence. Gardaí identified him from doorbell footage and found him in a garden shed at his home, and he later pleaded guilty to 10 charges. On 30 January 2024 Judge Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court imposed an eight-year prison sentence backdated to March 2023. The Parole Board will deal separately with his temporary release.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced30 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Kearney falsely imprisoned his former prison chaplain in her home toilet, described as her downstairs toilet in one account and her bathroom in another.
- Kearney pushed his way into an 86-year-old woman's home, assaulted her and robbed her.
- Kearney attempted to choke one of the priests.
- The 86-year-old priest was knocked to the floor and broke his hip.
- The 74-year-old priest had a tooth knocked out and facial injuries.
- Where
- The offences took place at various locations in Dublin, including two priests' homes in Clondalkin.
- When
- The offences took place on March 6 and March 15, 2023.
- Investigation
- Gardaí identified Kearney from doorbell footage and found him in a garden shed at his home address.
- Charges
- Kearney pleaded guilty to 10 charges.
- In court
- The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
- Sentence
- Judge Nolan imposed an eight-year prison sentence on 30 January 2024, backdated to March 2023.
- Other details
- Kearney was on temporary release from a life sentence imposed in 2001 for the murder of a 72-year-old woman in Finglas in 1998.
- Kearney has been back in custody since the offences, when his temporary release was revoked, and the Parole Board will deal separately with his temporary release.
- The defence said Kearney was on numerous drugs at the time of the offending.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatKearney falsely imprisoned his former prison chaplain in her downstairs toilet. (irishtimes.com)
- whatKearney pushed his way into an 86-year-old woman's home, assaulted her and robbed her. (irishtimes.com)
- whatKearney attempted to choke one of the priests. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe 86-year-old priest was knocked to the floor and broke his hip. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe 74-year-old priest had a tooth knocked out and facial injuries. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe offences took place at various locations in Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe offences took place on March 6th and March 15th, 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationGardaí identified Kearney from doorbell footage and found him in a garden shed at his home address. (irishtimes.com)
- courtKearney pleaded guilty to 10 charges. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceJudge Nolan imposed an eight-year prison sentence, backdated to March 2023. (irishtimes.com)
- otherKearney was on temporary release when the offences were committed. (irishtimes.com)
- otherKearney has been back in custody since the offences, when his temporary release was revoked. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe Parole Board will deal separately with Kearney over being on temporary release. (irishtimes.com)
- otherThe defence said Kearney was on numerous drugs at the time of the offending. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 30 Jan2024Murderer who attacked woman and two priests while on release is jailed
Sentencing report: Kearney pleaded guilty to 10 charges and received an eight-year term backdated to March 2023. The Parole Board will deal separately with him because he was on temporary release.
convicted, Richard Kearney, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Richard Kearneyvictim, femalevictim, 86, femalevictim, 74, malevictim, 86, male