Courts / Dublin / Report

Thief with 16 convictions for failing to appear in court fails to appear again

Date
2018-10-05

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Michael Lynch, 34, of Emmet Place, Inchicore, has been issued a bench warrant after failing to appear in court again. He has 16 prior convictions for failing to turn up. Lynch pleaded guilty to theft at Fairfield House, Newbridge Avenue, Dublin 4, on 26 February 2017 while on temporary release for other charges. He was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with 18 months suspended, by Judge Patricia Ryan on 6 October 2017. The Director of Public Prosecutions seeks a review, arguing the sentence was "unduly lenient". In the Court of Appeal, Lynch was absent but had been notified by Gardaí. The court noted he had been charged with fresh offences recently and had been granted compassionate bail to visit his family during a hospital fire in Inchicore. He was denied visitation of his daughter in the ICU because of his handcuffs and prison officers.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Thief with 16 convictions for failing to appear in court fails to appear again. Charges or matters: committing theft at Fairfield House, Newbridge Avenue, Dublin 4 on February 26 2017, while on temporary release for separate charges. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

February 26 2017 Incident
October 6, 2017 Incident
2018-10-05 Publication

Why: The court heard that Lynch had not succeeded in visiting his daughter at the Intensive Care Unit of Temple Street Children's University Hospital because hospital staff had objected to him being there in handcuffs, with prison officers. Court evidence reported by CNI

Case subjects

Unnamed man

Convicted Person

Charges: committing theft at Fairfield House, Newbridge Avenue, Dublin 4 on February 26 2017, while on temporary release for separate charges (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He was sentenced for this offence, with a charge of false imprisonment taken into consideration, to three years imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended by Judge Patricia Ryan on October 6, 2017. In the weeks before he was sentenced for the present offence, the father-of-three was granted compassionate bail to visit his young family in hospital, some of whom were left in a critical condition after a fire broke out at a flat in the Inchicore area.