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Bizarre as Irish burglar receives $225,000 compensation from his victim in compensation claim

Cops prosecute businessman after burglar threatened his wife and children

PATRICK COUNIHAN,

IrishCentral Staff Writer

Published Thursday, February 16, 2012, 7:36 AM

Updated Thursday, February 16, 2012, 11:55 AM

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Daniel McCormack (27), who claims he was assaulted

Photo by Irish Independent

An Irish businessman has been acquitted by a jury of all charges after running a burglar over with his Mercedes – the same thief who picked up $225,000 in compensation for the incident.

Martin McCaughey was cleared at Dundalk courthouse after he twice hit thief Daniel McCormack with his car and broke both his legs.

McCaughey woke up to find the burglar in his bedroom and chased him from the house. His wife and three children were with him in their home.

McCaughey had previously been sued by the burglar McCormack for the injuries he sustained in the incident outside the property developer’s house in the County Louth town and the burglar won a $225,000 judgement.

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The 48-year-old McCaughey was charged by police with assault causing harm and using his car as a weapon. He denied all charges.

Speaking to the media after the case, he said: “I have finally got justice.”

McCaughey told how he awoke at about 5.30am that morning to find the intruder coming out of his ensuite bathroom “looking at us with a screwdriver in his hand.”

“Imagine if I hadn’t been in the house and it was just my wife and three children. What would have happened? That still goes through my mind today. Would he have run?” Mr McCaughey said.

McCormack (27) was given a suspended jail sentence for the burglary and then sued McCaughey for over $225,000 compensation after he was left with broken legs following the incident.

The initial court case had heard McCormack confess: “I was trespassing and looking for things to steal.” Claiming he could remember little of the incident, he admitted that he took jewellery from the house and fled the scene when he heard shouting.

Police called to the scene found McCaughey’s car in the middle of the road. He was barefoot and just wearing boxer shorts. McCormack was on the ground with serious leg injuries.

The Dundalk jury took two and a half hours to clear McCaughey after Judge Gerard Griffin directed them to return a not guilty verdict on a second charge of endangerment.

Surrounded by friends and family outside the courthouse, McCaughey said: “It has been a long two years for me and my family. I’m glad it’s all over and want to get it behind us.

“I should never have been here in the first place. Unfortunately that is the system and they dragged me through the courts and I’ve got justice at the finish of it. I wouldn’t want to go through this ordeal again.”

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AMWilson | Feb 17, 2012, 08:12 PM EST

Sirpeter, this isn't an "us vs. them" chessmatch... it's ok to be self-critical. I don't think I've ever met an American who wasn't in some way critical of the US government or our justice system. This is obviously a black eye to the Irish system, because it sends the wrong message to the would-be Daniel McCormacks out there, especially with the economy being what it is. So whether we Americans have a plank in our hole or not, the Irish still have a problem on their hands with this kind of legal precedent.

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jimmy12003 | Feb 17, 2012, 05:10 PM EST

hopfully in the next house he breaks into, they have a loaded gun by the bed and do the right thing a waste that piece of sh-it! just look at the picture! just looks like another knac-ker rat!!

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GeorgeDillon | Feb 17, 2012, 07:21 AM EST

That guy has a surefire career waiting for him in Hollywood. Best monster since Boris Karloff. On another aspect, today's Irish newspaper details a case tried yesterday, in which a man was prosecuted for firing his shotgun INTO THE AIR as a warning to thugs attacking it. The Irish jury once again had common sense, and after a few minutes ruled Not Guilty. But my point is, in a country that's broke, where criminals act with impunity, what kinds of lunatics are running the Irish judicial system, be they prosecuting attorneys or judges? What a disgraceful waste of time and money to try to put an honest citizen in jail. And of course there will be no scrutiny or sanction of those who insisted on prosecuting this case. I am convinced that the current generation of ruling class in Ireland is the stupidest that country ever produced. The people are still good, but need leadership. They need to kick out the parasites and vermin.

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IrelandNorth | Feb 17, 2012, 05:35 AM EST

If the accused was compensated for having his legs broken by the vigilantised victim in due to a neo-liberal Crimunal 'Justice' (?) System, how was he able to walk out of court on his two feet that were supposed to have be broken? Unless he was levitating. Can't tell by the photo.

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ballindaggin | Feb 17, 2012, 04:11 AM EST

Thanks to our justice system, criminality is the only recession proof business in Ireland, it's true what they say,"only fools and horses".

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warlocks | Feb 16, 2012, 11:28 PM EST

Good thing that Bloke didn't enter into my house.at night he would have been bured in a bough never to be found . lol

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sirpeter | Feb 16, 2012, 10:14 PM EST

ciaradexy Quote"He should be beaten to death!Unquote.Chill out will ya please!!You're Irish.We'll leave mob justice to the Americans ok?They will use every every weakness you expose.They see the splinter in Irelands eye,but can't see their plank that is shoved up where the sun don't shine.

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jimmybb | Feb 16, 2012, 09:51 PM EST

am thinkin half the judges in ireland an usa are senile an suffering from dementia as they become judges when they cant handlea lawyers job anymore this man was protecting his family first then his property

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weldkatom1 | Feb 16, 2012, 08:37 PM EST

Its a joke,im going to rob a house now!!!

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Murph46 | Feb 16, 2012, 08:12 PM EST

Gracie I doubt he has the mental capacity to sue-more likely brought about by his lawyer who has a financial interest! Goes on every day in the US.Shakespeare was right"First thing we do is kill all the lawyers"

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johnshiel | Feb 16, 2012, 07:49 PM EST

a sane and fair legal system is valuable beyond words. ireland suffered many centuries from the lack of one. in the north that has continued up until recently? now??? I cna't say; you irish in the north can. but here's the deal: a crooked legal system is poisonous and ruinous and murderous, whether the bias is pro unionist, pro victim, or pro anything other than justice. one of the big trends here in U.S. is the pushback against excessive gun laws. criminals don't like this, because they aren't sure who's an easy mark anymore.

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ProudCanadian | Feb 16, 2012, 06:52 PM EST

Who says crime doesn't pay.

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Gracie1 | Feb 16, 2012, 06:22 PM EST

McCormack looks like a delightful fellow (tee-hee-hee). If I looked up in the night and saw that in my bedroom or my house, I'd definitely act first and ask questions later. He looks like a poster boy for Night Of The Living Dead. Certainly not likely to inspire affection or a sense of security in those around him. The fact he had the gall to sue for his injuries is disagusting in itself. That the courts permitted the charade and then awarded the cockroach money - disgusting beyond words.

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Murph46 | Feb 16, 2012, 02:34 PM EST

Looks like a zombie from the Walking Dead!

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AMWilson | Feb 16, 2012, 01:21 PM EST

Murph, that's funny - I was thinking the same thing. He certainly looks the part.

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