Courts / Dublin / Report
Jail for man who posed for photos as accomplices robbed tourists
Summary
Brian Clarke, 31, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for robbery of American tourist Ryan Dillon at Swords Town Park on 2 May 2015. Clarke, who posed for photographs with the tourists, acted as a "distraction" while other accomplices stole the camera bag, wallet, cash, camera and mobile phone. Dillon was attacked by a group of youths who punched and kicked him; his partner was punched in the gut and Dillon suffered a broken scapula. Clarke had 55 prior convictions and had not cooperated with the Probation Service. Judge Melanie Greally suspended the final year of a four‑year sentence, citing a favourable probation report that was not positive and Clarke's lack of cooperation. The case was heard in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with Garda Mairead Murray and prosecutor Caroline Cummings BL presenting evidence of the robbery and the assault on the tourists. Brian Clarke pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail for man who posed for photos as accomplices robbed tourists. Charges or matters: robbery of American tourist Ryan Dillon at Swords Town Park on May 2, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 2, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2017-01-25 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: robbery of American tourist Ryan Dillon at Swords Town Park on May 2, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She said she had intended to consider a fully suspended sentence on the basis of a favourable probation report when she adjourned the case last October, having heard the evidence. She said the report before the court was not positive and that Clarke had not co-operated with the Probation Service before she imposed sentence.; She said she had intended to consider a fully suspended sentence on the basis of a favourable probation report when she adjourned the case last October, having heard the evidence.
Places mentioned
Topics
Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
Related court reports
- Stardust survivor left 'aghast' at government redress scheme
- Bulgarian national stole €11k from heavily pregnant woman just one week after arrival in Ireland
- 'Far from peripheral' - Regency getaway drivers fail to have sentences reduced
- Hapless robber dropped phone, cash at raid scenes
- Regency getaway drivers say prison sentences were too high
- Dealer who told mother he'd get 'junkies' to rape her son over drug debt gets 10 years
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request