Wednesday 28 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. 1641Burglary · Co. Dublin · 23 Jul 2022

Serial burglar Zachary Purcell jailed for robbing Christ Church deanery during wedding

Zachary Purcell, 36, a serial burglar with 201 previous convictions, was sentenced to 4½ years (12 months suspended) at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for two burglaries in July 2022, including one at the Christ Church deanery in Dublin 8 during a wedding hosted by Dean Dermot Dunne, and one at the Morgan Hotel in Dublin 2.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced20 May
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
20 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatPurcell stole an iPad, jewellery worth €2,000, and a church credit card from the Christ Church deanery. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatPurcell used the stolen credit card to buy €50 worth of goods at a deli shop. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatPurcell walked in through an open gate past the wedding guests and into the house. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe stolen iPad and jewellery were never returned. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatAt the Morgan Hotel, Purcell was ejected around 8.30am before two American tourists found him in their bedroom. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatHe had stolen minor items from a trolley at the Morgan Hotel. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe Christ Church deanery is in Dublin 8. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe Morgan Hotel is in Dublin 2. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe Christ Church deanery burglary occurred on 23 July 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe Morgan Hotel burglary occurred on 9 July 2022. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationPurcell was arrested after his DNA was found on a water bottle he left at the deanery. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationPurcell was recognised by gardaí on CCTV footage. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe offences were committed when Purcell was on bail for another offence. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceJudge Orla Crowe handed down a sentence of 4½ years and suspended the final 12 months on conditions. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherPurcell has 201 previous convictions including 35 burglary offences. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherHis other convictions include theft, robbery, possession of stolen goods, violent disorder and possession of knives. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherNone of the injured parties made victim impact statements. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherPurcell had a long history of drug addiction and has been in and out of custody since his teenage years. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherPurcell has been in custody since last year on another offence and is now methadone-free. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 20 May2025
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Burglar who robbed dean of Christ Church Cathedral’s residence during wedding is jailed

    Reports the sentencing of Zachary Purcell for two burglaries committed in July 2022 while on bail for another offence. The judge noted his entrenched drug addiction but described his current rehabilitation as commendable.

    convicted, Zachary Purcell, 36, male, named, irish (judged from name)Zachary Purcellvictim, Dermot Dunne, male, irish (judged from name)Dermot Dunnevictim, American, non-irishvictim, American, non-irish