Getaway driver sentenced to almost four years in prison for Monaghan town burglary

A Romanian man has been sentenced to almost four years in prison for his role in a Monaghan town burglary.

31 year old Ion Dulman, of no fixed abode was sentenced at Monaghan Circuit Court this morning.

In the early hours of February 8th, the Three phone shop in Church Square was broken into, with almost €31,000 worth of stock taken.

Ion Dulman was the getaway driver for the theft, wasn't masked or in the shop like his co-accused and wasn't considered the ring leader or organiser.

His remorse and co-operation were noted as mitigating factors, as was that his previous offences in other European countries weren't of the same serious nature and that he was recruited for this theft while in vulnerable circumstances looking for work.

Judge Alymer also acknowledged that Dulman is receiving enhanced status at Wheatfield Prison and intends to not return to Ireland upon his release.

He was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for burglary, and two years three months for criminal damage to the shop - to run concurrently and backdated to the date of his arrest.

Judge Alymer said he didn't see it appropriate to suspend any length of the sentence, and that there needs to be deterrents for these crimes and those who travel into Ireland to commit them.