Courts / Dublin / Report

Woman now "wary of helping homeless people" after attack by serial robber

Date
2018-11-29

Stage
Hearing Or Decision

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, a woman who was robbed and beaten on Nassau Street on 26 May 2016 described how the attacker, Marese Craig, 21, approached her after a night out, demanded money, pushed her to the ground, kicked her, and stole €57. The victim later reported seeing Craig again and called the Gardaí. She expressed that she is now "wary of helping homeless people" and feels it is a shame because she believes in aiding those in need. Craig, who has 47 prior convictions, pleaded guilty to the robbery, as well as to trespass and theft from a 90‑year‑old shop owner on 27 September 2017 and to robbery of a bank card from a man on 2 February 2018. The court noted Craig is in custody and is taking steps toward rehabilitation, with sentencing adjourned to 6 December. The victim's impact statement was read in court.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Woman now "wary of helping homeless people" after attack by serial robber. Charges or matters: robbing cash from the woman at Nassau Street, Dublin on May 26, 2016; trespass and theft from a then 90-year-old shop owner at ABC Fishing Tackle, Mary's Abbey, Dublin on September 27, 2017; robbery of a bank card from a man using a cash machine on Camden Street, Dublin city on February 2 last (2018); robbing €200 from a 79-year-old man at an ATM in Ranelagh, Dublin, on March 3, 2018. Procedural stage: hearing_or_decision

When:

May 26, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
September 27, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
February 2 Other
December 6 Adjournment
March 3, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
March 7, 2018 Other
2018-11-29 Publication

Why: In a victim impact statement read out in court, the woman said she is now "wary of helping homeless people" and feels this is a shame because she believes in aiding those in need. CNI source report

Case subjects

Marese Craig

Defendant

Charges: robbing cash from the woman at Nassau Street, Dublin on May 26, 2016; trespass and theft from a then 90-year-old shop owner at ABC Fishing Tackle, Mary's Abbey, Dublin on September 27, 2017; robbery of a bank card from a man using a cash machine on Camden Street, Dublin city on February 2 last (2018); robbing €200 from a 79-year-old man at an ATM in Ranelagh, Dublin, on March 3, 2018 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: She adjourned sentencing to December 6 next.