Homeowner David English initially thought Mark O’Mahony, 33, was his son when he found the intruder sleeping in an armchair at the end of his kitchen table, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.

When O’Mahony woke up, he repeatedly claimed that Mr English had let him into the house, but co-operated with emptying his pockets when asked to do so. Mr English’s wife entered the kitchen a short time later and the couple retained O’Mahony until gardaí arrived.

Judge Martin Nolan commented that a burglar falling asleep in the middle of a crime was “a new departure” in his court.

“This could be described as an inept non-violent burglary,” he said, noting that O’Mahony had behaved himself and used no violence towards the householders.

O’Mahony pleaded guilty to burglary as well as possessing a stolen medical card, driving license and jacket. He has 86 previous convictions, including theft, robbery and handling stolen property.

Judge Nolan imposed a two year jail term, backdated to when O’Mahony entered custody on the matter in June last year.

Aoife Nic Ardghail, CCC.nuacht