Courts / Dublin / Report
Heroin addict "took chance" and grabbed €6.5k from newsagent counter
Summary
Jonathan Duggan, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of theft at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He entered Tom Stanley's Newsagents in Blanchardstown Shopping Centre to buy a drink, saw €6,500 in notes on the counter, grabbed them and fled. The shop assistant chased him, alerted security, and he was apprehended and returned to the centre. Duggan later handed the money back. He claimed he had seen the cash and "took a chance", and said he had not threatened anyone. He was living in Cork, visiting his partner and their young daughter in Dublin. Duggan has a long history of heroin addiction, having started at 15, and 91 prior convictions, many linked to his drug use. His partner, a former heroin user, has been clean for four years. The court noted his remorse and the support he has. Judge Gerard Griffin sentenced him to three years' imprisonment, with the final 12 months suspended, backdated to 9 February 2017.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Heroin addict "took chance" and grabbed €6.5k from newsagent counter. Charges or matters: one count of theft on September 3, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 3, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- 9 February 2017 Other
- 2017-07-04 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: one count of theft on September 3, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ms Perle said Duggan had a very supportive partner, a former heroin user herself, who has been clean for the past four years. "He is somebody who is extremely remorseful about this incident," said Ms Perle. "He's aware it's his addiction that is the source of the offending behaviour. … He's at a very fragile point in his life and if he has help he can take a different direction." Judge Gerard Griffin sentenced Duggan to three years imprisonment with the final 12 months suspended, backdated to 9 February 2017.
Places mentioned
- Ballinderry
- Ballinderry Park
- Cork
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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