Jason Sheehan (29), of Shears Street, Kilmallock, was convicted before the Kilmallock District Court of trespass at the parochial home of Fr Pat Bluett, Kilmallock, and sentenced to eight months in jail.
However, Mr Sheehan had the sentence halved to four months after his barrister, Joe McMahon BL, appealed it before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court.
The appeal court heard that Fr Bluett came across two Gardaí on duty at 6am on May 13, 2025, and told them a man had attempted to break into his home that morning.
Fr Bluett had followed the male and pointed him out to the two Gardaí, the court heard.
Sheehan was arrested and charged by the local Gardaí and pleaded guilty to trespass before the Kilmallock District Court.
The District Court appeal hearing heard that Sheehan had a list of previous convictions, including three for burglary, for which he was sentenced to three years in jail; attempted robbery, for which he was sentenced to five months in prison; and two counts of trespass, for which he was given six-month sentences.
Appealing the eight-month sentence “on grounds of severity”, Mr McMahon BL told Judge Colin Daly that Sheehan’s offending had been due to “a long-standing addiction to alcohol and drugs”.
“He went cold turkey during a recent stint in prison; he has a partner who is four and a half months pregnant; and he instructs me that he is now drug free,” said Mr McMahon.
“He pleaded guilty, Judge, and I would ask if the court would consider imposing a partly suspended sentence, which would allow him supervision into the future as recidivism is a concern,” added the barrister.
Allowing the appeal, Judge Daly re-sentenced Sheehan to eight months in jail with the final four months suspended.
The judge said he took into consideration Sheehan’s guilty plea, addictions, and weighed it against the harm done as well as Sheehan’s “significant number of previous convictions”.
The judge said Sheehan’s actions on the morning in question were a “violation” of Fr Bluett’s privacy and safety in his own home, “where he should feel safe”.