Courts / Dublin / Report

Violent criminal who robbed and attacked pensioner with hammer has sentenced increased

Date
2017-12-18

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Warren Brennan, aged 26, was re‑sentenced to ten years' imprisonment with the final three years suspended after the Court of Appeal found his original seven‑year sentence unduly lenient. Brennan had pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, robbery and related offences at a bookmakers shop on Lombard Street in December 2014 and at Alderwood Park in October 2015. He was convicted of robbing a 71‑year‑old pensioner with a hammer, repeatedly striking him on the head and body, and also striking the victim's nephew. Brennan had previously been convicted of 54 offences, including robbery and possession of a firearm. The Court of Appeal, judging that the evidence was overwhelming and that the guilty pleas had earned excessive credit, imposed a consecutive five‑year term with the final three years suspended, requiring a good‑behaviour bond for the suspended period.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Violent criminal who robbed and attacked pensioner with hammer has sentenced increased. Charges or matters: aggravated burglary, production of an article and obstructing a peace officer at a bookmakers shop on Lombard Street, in the capital on December 20, 2014; robbery and production of an article at Alderwood Park, Tallaght on October 27, 2015 while he was on bail for the earlier offences. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

December 20, 2014 Incident
October 27, 2015 Incident
January 30, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
2017-12-18 Publication

Case subjects

Warren Brennan

Appellant

Charges: aggravated burglary, production of an article and obstructing a peace officer at a bookmakers shop on Lombard Street, in the capital on December 20, 2014; robbery and production of an article at Alderwood Park, Tallaght on October 27, 2015 while he was on bail for the earlier offences (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He was accordingly re-sentenced to 10 years imprisonment with the final three suspended. Mr Justice Birmingham said the Court of Appeal was "firmly of the opinion" that the sentences imposed on Brennan were unduly lenient "to a significant extent".