Courts / Cavan / Report
Sentence doubled for heroin addict over violent disorder in "vulnerable" man's home
Summary
Richard Sweeney, aged 27 of Railway Lough, Belturbet, Co Cavan, has had his prison sentence doubled by the Court of Appeal following a prosecution challenge that his original term was unduly lenient. Sweeney had pleaded guilty at Cavan Circuit Criminal Court to violent disorder in the home of a vulnerable man in Belturbet on 24 February 2014. He was initially sentenced to two years imprisonment with six months suspended in March 2015. The Court of Appeal found the sentence fell considerably short of reflecting the gravity of the offence, in which Sweeney was one of four masked men who forced entry to the victim's home, threatened to kill him, and subjected him to a severe assault involving weapons. Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, delivering judgment, noted aggravating factors including the planned nature of the attack, the victim's vulnerability, and violation of his home. Sweeney was re-sentenced to four years imprisonment with the final year suspended.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Sentence doubled for heroin addict over violent disorder in "vulnerable" man's home. Charges or matters: violent disorder in the home of Mr William White in Belturbet on the night of February 24, 2014. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- February 24, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 10, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-11-15 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: violent disorder in the home of Mr William White in Belturbet on the night of February 24, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced to two years imprisonment with the final six months suspended by Judge John O'Hagan on March 10, 2015. Mr Justice Sheehan, who sat with Mr Justice Alan Mahon and Mr Justice John Edwards, re-sentenced Sweeney to four years imprisonment with the final year suspended.; Mr Justice Sheehan said Sweeney had failed to attend court on the adjourned date of the DPP's appeal and it was necessary for the three-judge court to issue a warrant for his arrest.
Places mentioned
- Cavan
- Cavan Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
Drugs Stage Appeal Violent Crime
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