Courts / Dublin / Report

One-time nursing student avoids jail for violent attempted robbery

Date
2017-11-15
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Linda Wall, 37, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at a Luas stop in June 2015 after being directed by a drug dealer to seize a mobile phone to pay part of a debt. She had 16 prior convictions and was addicted to "snow blow." The victim, a Chinese woman, was punched, kicked, and had her hair pulled before being rescued by another passenger. Wall denied intending to injure the victim. The court accepted her remorse and the steps she had taken to address risk factors. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a four‑year suspended sentence, directed 12 months of probation supervision, and urged Wall to use this opportunity to rebuild her life. The hearing noted her history of nursing studies and the loss of her daughter last year. The sentence was suspended for four years, with no immediate custodial term.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: One-time nursing student avoids jail for violent attempted robbery. Charges or matters: attempted robbery at Museum Luas Stop on June 15, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard Linda Wall (37) was hopelessly addicted to "snow blow" at the time and had been directed to get the phone by her drug dealer, who stood nearby, in order to pay part of the debt. Court evidence reported by CNI

Case subjects

Linda Wall

Defendant

Charges: attempted robbery at Museum Luas Stop on June 15, 2015 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Greally suspended the sentence for four years, directed that Wall undergo 12 months probation supervision and told the woman to take this new opportunity in her life. At the sentence hearing, Garda Denise Bowes told Seamus Clarke BL, prosecuting, that a Chinese woman was talking on her mobile phone at the Luas stop when Wall tried to grab it out of her hand.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Residence

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request