Courts / Dublin / Report
17-year sentence for false imprisonment of 11-year-old girl "overly punitive", appeal lawyers submit
Summary
Michael Martin, aged 37, was convicted of false imprisonment of an 11‑year‑old girl who was lifted from a green area near her hall door in Oldtown, Cullohill, Co. Laois on 4 March 2015. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced by Judge Keenan Johnson at Portlaoise Circuit Criminal Court to 17 years' imprisonment, with the final four years suspended, on 5 November 2015. Martin has now filed an appeal arguing that the sentence was overly punitive, disproportionate to the circumstances, and that the judge placed too much emphasis on aggravating factors and insufficiently on mitigating factors. His barrister, Kevin White BL, also contended that the judge erred in holding Martin failed to fully cooperate with the Gardai and that the judge's emphasis on protecting society was inappropriate. The appeal is pending before the Court of Appeal. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no further verdict or outcome reported.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 17-year sentence for false imprisonment of 11-year-old girl "overly punitive", appeal lawyers submit. Charges or matters: false imprisonment of the girl along the roadside near Oldtown, Cullohill, Co Laois on March 4 2015. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- March 4 2015 Incident
- November 5, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2017-01-20 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: false imprisonment of the girl along the roadside near Oldtown, Cullohill, Co Laois on March 4 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Keenan Johnson sentenced Martin at Portloaise Circuit Criminal Court to 17 years imprisonment with the final four suspended on November 5, 2015. The sentencing judge remarked that he would have imposed a life sentence on Martin but that measure was not available to him, Mr White said.
Places mentioned
- Yellow Road
- Waterford City
- Oldtown
- Portloaise Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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