Courts / Wexford / Report
"Significant player" in off-loading stolen property loses appeal
Summary
Michael Collins, who had a recent bail address at Mellows Park in Finglas, pleaded guilty to handling stolen property in Enniscorthy on 1 February 2015. He was found guilty of three counts involving stolen power tools worth almost €7,000 and two high‑quality bicycles worth just under €2,000. The owner had reported a burglary a few days earlier and Collins recognised the tools by their distinctive yellow cables. He was sentenced to 10 months' imprisonment, with the final four months suspended for five years, by Judge Barry Hickson. Collins' lawyers sought a judicial review, arguing the five‑year suspension was disproportionate, but the High Court rejected the appeal and the Court of Appeal upheld that decision. Justice Isobel Kennedy confirmed there is no statutory limit on the length of a suspended sentence and that the judge's decision was proportionate and evidence‑based.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Significant player" in off-loading stolen property loses appeal. Charges or matters: three counts of handling stolen property at a market in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford on February 1, 2015. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- February 1, 2015 Incident
- December 9, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-12-04 Publication
Why: He said he was able to recognise the tools because he had made extension cords with yellow cables and these yellow cables were still recognisable. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: three counts of handling stolen property at a market in Enniscorthy, Co Wexford on February 1, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: A man caught handling stolen power tools and two "high-quality bicycles" has lost an appeal over the length of his suspended sentence. Collins was sentenced to 10 months imprisonment with the final four months suspended for a period of five years by Judge Barry Hickson following a District Court appeal in the south-east of the country on December 9, 2016.
Places mentioned
- Mellows Park
- The High Court
- Court of Appeal
- High Court
Topics
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