Courts / Dublin / Report
Jail term cut for Romanian who caused "mayhem" at airport with assaults and car hijack
Summary
Petrica Lucaci, a 25‑year‑old Romanian, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment for a series of offences committed on 7 October 2014, including unlawful seizure of a vehicle, assault, assault of a peace officer, dangerous driving and two counts of endangerment. The original sentence, imposed by Judge Terence O'Sullivan on 11 May 2016, suspended the final year. On appeal the Court of Appeal found that the "out of character" nature of the conduct, Lucaci's guilty plea and his offer of substantial compensation warranted a longer suspended period. Consequently, Judge Alan Mahon re‑sentenced him to five years with the final two‑and‑a‑half years suspended, requiring a good‑behaviour bond for that period. Lucaci had no prior convictions in Ireland or Romania and had been living in Ireland for three months as a gardener when the incident occurred.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail term cut for Romanian who caused "mayhem" at airport with assaults and car hijack. Charges or matters: the unlawful seizure of a vehicle, attempted unlawful seizure of a vehicle, assault, assault of a peace officer, assault of two persons acting in aid of a peace officer, dangerous driving and two counts of endangerment on October 7, 2014. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- October 7, 2014 Incident
- May 11, 2016 Incident
- 2016-11-17 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: the unlawful seizure of a vehicle, attempted unlawful seizure of a vehicle, assault, assault of a peace officer, assault of two persons acting in aid of a peace officer, dangerous driving and two counts of endangerment on October 7, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced to five years imprisonment with the final year suspended by Judge Terence O'Sullivan on May 11, 2016. Mr Justice Mahon, who sat with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, re-sentenced Lucaci to five years imprisonment with the final two-and-a-half years suspended.
Places mentioned
Topics
Road Traffic Stage Appeal Violent Crime
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