Courts / Dublin / Report
Garda used phone tracking app to locate violent robber
Summary
In a 2016 daylight robbery on Essex Quay, Dublin, 39‑year‑old Charlene Curran of Kells, Co. Meath, attacked 25‑year‑old Rebecca Kelly. Curran tried to snatch Kelly's iPhone, flung her across the road, pulled her hair, punched her face and attempted to take the phone. Kelly, holding onto her bag, released the phone to keep her bag, and Curran fled with it. Garda Ian Lawlor arrived, found Kelly upset and injured, and used a phone‑tracking app on his own phone to locate Curran. The app led them to Heuston Station where Kelly identified the attacker. Judge Karen O'Connor described the assault as vicious and unprovoked, sentencing Curran to two and a half years' imprisonment, suspending the last 18 months on the condition of cooperation with Probation Services. The court noted Curran's two prior minor non‑violent convictions and her drug use at the time. Charlene Curran pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Garda used phone tracking app to locate violent robber. Charges or matters: robbery on August 10, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 10, 2016 Incident
- 2017-11-07 Publication
Why: The victim let go of the phone in order to hold on to her bag and Curran ran off with the phone. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: robbery on August 10, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She imposed a prison sentence of two and a half years but suspended the last 18 months on condition that Curran co-operate with the Probation Services.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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