A man has been jailed after being "caught red-handed" carrying out burglaries in Castleblayney last year.
Judge Eoin Garavan said his previous convictions showed he was rising through the "pyramid of crime".
The incidents occurred on October 3rd last, when 23 year old Liam Joyce, of no fixed abode, entered two properties at Bramley Grove in the town.
He entered the first through an unlocked rear door but fled when the homeowner came downstairs after hearing a noise.
Joyce then entered a house two doors down but was again disturbed and one of the occupants grabbed him to "stop him escaping from the scene".
He was arrested and found to be in possession of a screwdriver, balaclava and gloves.
Gardaí say he wasn't co-operative in interview, shouted abuse and smelled of alcohol.
Defence counsel clarified that he was "more considered" when speaking to Gardaí after he sobered and it was an "opportunistic" event where he didn't force entry and wasn't seeking confrontation.
Originally from Blanchardstown, Joyce moved to Castleblayney six weeks before his arrest in an attempt to get away from negative influences and had made an effort to get a job in the town.
Judge Eoin Garavan said he had a "badly impressive" criminal record of 11 convictions and was getting more courageous in his rise up the "pyramid of crime".
He described the burglary as "planned but random" and suggested that there was an accomplice as a stolen wallet wasn't recovered.
Those who detained him until Gardaí arrived were praised for their bravery and the Judge said a guilty plea was of little value when he was caught in the act.
Liam Joyce was sentenced to 30 months in prison, with the final ten suspended on the condition he engages with support services.
The sentence was back-dated to when he entered custody eight months ago.
