Courts / Dublin / Report
Addict with 132 previous convictions "went off the wall" in robbing spree
Summary
Laurence Bryan, 36, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four robberies and two attempted robberies committed at shops in the Tallaght area between March 31st and April 8th, 2016. The defendant, who has 132 previous convictions, was taken from Cloverhill Prison to be interviewed after being identified on CCTV. He admitted to using knives during the offences to fund a drug habit, stating he did not intend to hurt anyone. Judge Melanie Greally revoked the 18-month suspended portion of a previous five-and-a-half-year sentence imposed in 2014. The matter was adjourned until October 2018 for sentencing on the new offences, with the court ordering an updated probation report regarding residential treatment options. Judge Greally noted that previous imprisonment had not broken the cycle of offending, suggesting an alternative approach was needed. Defense counsel Sarah Jane O'Callaghan BL highlighted Bryan's drug-free status upon release before relapsing following a family argument, and requested multifaceted supports for his release. The court heard the offences were spontaneous and without premeditation.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Addict with 132 previous convictions "went off the wall" in robbing spree. Charges or matters: four robberies and two attempted robberies at shops in the Tallaght area between March 31st and April 8th 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 31st Hearing Or Sentence
- April 8th 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 2018 Adjournment
- March 31, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- April 2nd Hearing Or Sentence
- April 5th Hearing Or Sentence
- April 8th Incident
- 2017-02-09 Publication
Why: A drug addict who relapsed two weeks after his release from a four year prison sentence went "off the wall" robbing shops over nine days in order to fund his habit, a court has heard. CNI source report
Case subjects
Applicant
Defendant
Charges: four robberies and two attempted robberies at shops in the Tallaght area between March 31st and April 8th 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Bryan has 132 previous convictions, including a five and a half year sentence with the final 18 months suspended imposed by Judge Mary Ellen Ring in 2014 for previous robberies. She told Bryan that she was not making any promises but it appeared that four years in prison had not served him or the community well. "You were back to square one within a number of weeks," Judge Greally said "so it is clear some alternative to a sentence, even with a suspended period, will be needed to break the cycle." Sarah Jane O'Callaghan BL, defending, said her client had been in a "protective environment" while in prison and had been drug free on his release.; Today Judge Melanie Greally revoked the 18-month suspended portion of the previous sentence and adjourned sentencing on the new offences until October 2018.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Tallaght
- Brookfield
- Cloverhill Prison
Topics
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