Courts / Limerick / Report
Youth who robbed parked motorist has balance of six-year sentence suspended
Summary
Christopher Higgins, aged 22, pleaded guilty to robbing a motorist in Limerick on 17 March 2015, taking €80 and a wifi dongle. He was sentenced to six years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, by Judge Tom O'Donnell in May 2016. Higgins appealed, arguing that mitigating factors were not fully considered. The Court of Appeal, led by Mr Justice Michael Peart, found that the evidence from parish priest Fr Tony O'Riordan—who had known Higgins for years, arranged a trial of employment, and had him stay with the priest for six or seven weeks—demonstrated a real prospect of rehabilitation. The court imposed a new six‑year sentence but suspended the balance as of 14 November, allowing Higgins to be released next month under a good‑behaviour bond and practical arrangements to support his rehabilitation.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Youth who robbed parked motorist has balance of six-year sentence suspended. Charges or matters: robbery of €80 and a wifi dongle from a motorist parked at Pery Square in the city on March 17, 2015. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- March 17, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 3, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- November 14 Other
- 2017-10-23 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: robbery of €80 and a wifi dongle from a motorist parked at Pery Square in the city on March 17, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to six years imprisonment with the final two suspended by Judge Tom O'Donnell on May 3, 2016. Mr Justice Peart, who sat with Mr Justice George Birmingham and Mr Justice Alan Mahon, imposed a new six year sentence but suspended the balance as of November 14 next. "The period between today and that date is to enable practical arrangements so as to ensure, in so far as possible, having turned a corner, he can continue on the straight road ahead Fr O'Riordan certainly considers him capable of." Higgins was required to enter into a good behaviour bond and he undertook to be so bound.
Places mentioned
- Limerick
- Parnell Place
- Limerick city
- Court of Appeal
- Limerick
- Limerick Circuit Criminal Court
- Pery Square
Topics
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