Courts / Dublin / Report

Man spared jail for revolving door robbery of tourist's purse

Date
2016-10-04

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Mark Kenna, 32, was arrested after CCTV captured him robbing a Japanese tourist's purse at the revolving door of Best Western Academy Plaza Hotel on 2 February 2015. Kenna, who had 54 prior convictions but none for violence, told Gardaí he could not remember the incident and was "strung out" at the time. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Melanie Greally described the offence as "nasty and frightening" but noted Kenna's crack cocaine habit and that he had taken tablets that day. She was impressed by a favourable probation report showing insight, remorse and steps taken to address his drug addiction. The judge imposed a three‑year sentence, suspended in full, with strict conditions: 12 months probation supervision and one‑to‑one drug‑addiction counselling. The case was prosecuted by Elva Duffy BL and defended by Rebecca Smith BL.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Man spared jail for revolving door robbery of tourist's purse. Charges or matters: robbery at Best Western Academy Plaza Hotel, Findlater Place, Dublin on February 2, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

February 2, 2015 Incident
June 2015 Incident
2016-10-04 Publication

Case subjects

Mark Kenna

Defendant

Charges: robbery at Best Western Academy Plaza Hotel, Findlater Place, Dublin on February 2, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Credit: Collins) By Fiona Ferguson A man who robbed a purse from a Japanese tourist in the revolving door of a Dublin hotel has been given a suspended sentence. Judge Greally imposed a three year sentence which she suspended in full on strict conditions including 12 months probation supervision and one to one counselling regarding his drug addiction.