Courts / Dublin / Report

Criminal attacked pensioner with hammer while out on bail for aggravated burglary

Date
2016-11-09

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

Warren Brennan, 25, of Pearse Street, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery at Alderwood Park, Tallaght, on October 27, 2015. He also pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary at a bookmakers on Lombard Street and resisting a police officer on the same occasion. Judge Catherine Murphy described the Tallaght robbery, in which Brennan attacked a 71-year-old victim with a hammer, as "particularly nasty" and involving "gratuitous violence." The judge noted Brennan's 54 previous convictions, including a 2011 three-year jail term for an attempted armed robbery. Although Brennan was on bail for the Lombard Street burglary when he committed the Tallaght robbery, he is currently in custody for other offences. The judge remanded Brennan on continuing bail until January 16 for sentence, stating she needed time to consider various reports. Defense counsel Sean Gillane SC highlighted Brennan's difficult childhood, addiction issues, and a psychiatric report indicating a risk of developing schizophrenia, urging the court not to discard him entirely. Prosecution counsel detailed how Brennan was identified after giving a false name and how he attempted to stab gardai during the Lombard Street incident. The matter was adjourned for sentencing.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Criminal attacked pensioner with hammer while out on bail for aggravated burglary. Charges or matters: robbery at Alderwood Park, Tallaght on October 27, 2015; this offence and to resisting a police officer on the same occasion. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

October 27, 2015 Incident
December 20, 2014 Incident
January 16 Adjournment
2016-11-09 Publication

Case subjects

Unnamed 71-year-old

Defendant

Charges: robbery at Alderwood Park, Tallaght on October 27, 2015; this offence and to resisting a police officer on the same occasion (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: In 2011 he was jailed for three years for carrying out an attempted robbery during which he held a gun to a shop assistant's head.; She remanded Brennan, who is in custody for other offences, on continuing bail until January 16 next for sentence.