Courts / Dublin / Report

Dublin bus drivers "rugby tackled" thief after he robbed woman at knife point, court hears

Date
2017-03-09

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Thomas Murray, aged 34, was sentenced to six years in prison for a series of robberies in Dublin between December 2015 and February 2016. He used a knife to threaten victims and cut the straps of handbags, and he also used stolen bank cards for small "tap" purchases. The court noted that he had 37 prior convictions and that his most recent offences were committed while on bail. Murray was apprehended after being "rugby tackled" by two Dublin Bus drivers who pursued him following a robbery at a bus stop. He pleaded guilty to eight robberies, one attempted robbery and one threat to kill, and he admitted that his crimes were driven by a heroin addiction and the need to fund his drug habit and provide for his children. The judge imposed a consecutive sentence of eight years, with the final two years suspended, and ordered 18 months of post‑release supervision.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Dublin bus drivers "rugby tackled" thief after he robbed woman at knife point, court hears. Charges or matters: eight robberies, one attempted robbery and one threat to kill at various locations around the city on dates between December 2015 and February 2016. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

December 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
February 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
December 8, 2015 Incident
December 21, 2015 Other
February 9, 2016 Incident
February 23 Incident
February 16th Incident
February 19, 2016 Incident
February 21, 2016 Other
February 27th, 2016 Other
Christmas Incident
2017-03-09 Publication

Why: Murray told gardai he and his girlfriend had been arguing about money because "we are so broke" so he stormed off and robbed the woman. CNI source report

Case subjects

Thomas Murray

Defendant

Charges: eight robberies, one attempted robbery and one threat to kill at various locations around the city on dates between December 2015 and February 2016 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Greally imposed consecutive sentence totalling eight years with the final two years suspended. At the original sentence hearing last October, defence counsel Sandra Frayne BL said Murray had begun abusing the tablets during his previous prison term.