Courts / Dublin / Report
"I'm at the bottom": jail for woman who robbed mother sitting in car with children
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Lydia Simpson, 35, pleaded guilty to robbery at the Liffey Valley Shopping Centre car park on 21 January. The victim, a mother, was seated in her car with a five‑year‑old son. Simpson attempted to take a purse from the front seat; the owner resisted, and during the struggle the purse ended up in the back of the car. Simpson reached over the front seats to retrieve it and unintentionally struck the child, who sustained no injuries. Paul Carroll SC described the incident as frightening for the children. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Simpson to two years' imprisonment, to run from next January, noting her history of drug addiction and prior convictions for shoplifting and trespassing. Simpson admitted the robbery was motivated by a need for money to buy drugs and expressed remorse, saying she was ashamed and "at the bottom.".
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "I'm at the bottom": jail for woman who robbed mother sitting in car with children. Charges or matters: robbery at the Liffey Valley Shopping centre car park in Clondalkin on January 21 last. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 21 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-07-16 Publication
Why: Judge Nolan said that Simpson committed the robbery because she needed money to buy drugs on the day. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: robbery at the Liffey Valley Shopping centre car park in Clondalkin on January 21 last (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Martin Nolan imposed a two year prison sentence which will run from next January. Simpson is already in custody serving a sentence.
Places mentioned
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request