Mother Drags Intruder Out of Tramore Home; Judge Orders €2,000 Compensation

A protective mother who "hunted" an aggressive intruder out of her Tramore home has seen the perpetrator brought to justice. The man appeared in court, where he was ordered to pay compensation to the family for the physical damage and trauma caused during the break-in.

Late-Night Break-In and Confrontation

The incident occurred on July 27, 2025, at approximately 2:00 a.m. at a family home in the Tramore area near Waterford. The intruder, identified as 28-year-old Nathan Kirwan of 55 Ard Daire, Ferrybank, arrived at the property and threw a rock through a window in the door to gain entry.

Once inside, Kirwan, who was looking for his then-girlfriend, attempted to walk up the stairs of the residence. Inside the house were a mother and her young daughter. Reacting to the threat, the mother confronted the intruder and physically dragged him down the stairs. The woman stated that her "instincts as a mother kicked in," allowing her to force the intruder out of the house.

During the break-in, Kirwan cut his hands on the shattered glass, leaving blood on the walls of the home. He also caused damage to tiles and a chair inside the house. The mother described the home invasion as an "aggressive and frightening" experience that has had a serious, ongoing emotional impact on both her and her daughter.

Court Sentencing and Compensation Order

The case was heard before Judge John Cheatle. The court was informed that Kirwan is no longer in a relationship with the homeowner's daughter and that the family has no further reason to fear him. Kirwan appeared in court willing to offer €1,000 in compensation.

However, Judge Cheatle ordered Kirwan to pay €2,000 to cover the full costs of home repairs and to compensate the victims for the trauma they suffered. Kirwan has been given until November 10 to pay the funds in full. If he successfully complies with the order, he will receive a suspended prison sentence.

Home Security Tips to Prevent Forced Entry

Late-night break-ins are terrifying events. Homeowners can implement several security upgrades to reinforce their property and prevent forced entry:

• Reinforce Door Glazing: Replace standard glass panels in exterior doors with laminated safety glass or double-glazed panels. Alternatively, apply heavy-duty security window film to prevent glass from shattering easily when struck by rocks or heavy objects.
• Install High-Quality Deadbolts: Ensure all exterior doors are fitted with heavy-duty deadbolts. A lock is only as strong as the door frame, so install heavy-duty strike plates secured with three-inch screws into the wall stud.
• Smart Security Lighting: Install motion-activated floodlights around the perimeter of the home, especially near entryways and side doors. Intruders prefer to operate in darkness and are often deterred by sudden illumination.
• Intruder Alarm Systems: Use a monitored alarm system equipped with door and window contacts as well as motion detectors. Modern systems can send instant alerts to your smartphone when a breach is detected.
• Emergency Communication: Always keep a charged mobile phone next to your bed at night so you can quickly call emergency services (112 or 999 in Ireland) if you hear someone attempting to enter your home.

Sources

This report compiles information from the local court reporting by:

• Waterford News & Star - Mother hunts intruder out of her home during burglary