Courts / Dublin / Report

Serial offender claimed to be garda, took part in handcuffing and robbing man in city centre

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Gary Kearney, aged 25, admitted to robbing a man on Millennium Bridge in the early hours of 11 September 2016. Kearney, who has 160 prior convictions including assault, robbery, theft, burglary, criminal damage and public order offences, claimed to be an undercover Garda before handcuffing and robbing the victim. He and an accomplice used handcuffs and quoted sections of law to intimidate the man, who feared being pushed into the Liffey. They removed his phone, travel and bank cards, returned the cards after the victim demanded them back, but re‑handcuffed him when he asked for his phone. Kearney pleaded guilty to robbery, false imprisonment and theft. Judge Melanie Greally adjourned sentencing to May to allow Kearney to attend a 12‑week residential treatment programme at Cuan Mhuire. The accomplice fled and has not been charged.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Serial offender claimed to be garda, took part in handcuffing and robbing man in city centre. Charges or matters: robbery, false imprisonment and theft in Dublin city centre on September 11, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• September 11, 2016 Adjournment
• 2017-03-02 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Burglary Public Order Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report