Drug addict suffered severe injuries and cut power to 4,000 homes while trying to steal electrical wiring

A 26-year-old man born in Sligo pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to trespassing with intent to commit an offence at an ESB substation on the Ninth Lock Road, Clondalkin on 3 November 2013. Jamie Gordon suffered severe burns to his hands and feet after being electrocuted while attempting to steal copper wiring and lead flashing. He sustained entry wounds to his palms and exit wounds to his feet, with one foot left with 70 per cent third degree burns. The incident caused over €10,000 damage to the substation and left approximately 4,000 homes without power for up to one minute. Judge Mary Ellen Ring suspended a three-year jail sentence on condition Gordon keep the peace for five years. The court heard Gordon has 21 previous convictions and struggles with drug addiction, which motivated his criminal activity.