Courts / Dublin / Report

Former addict with 128 previous convictions spared jail over "Trojan" efforts

Date
2019-02-25

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Patrick Paget, 30, of Ballymun, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to two robberies and an attempted robbery of personal belongings at Abbey Street, Dublin, on January 18, 2017. Judge Patrick Quinn imposed a 20-month sentence, with the final 15 months suspended, and credited any time Paget spent in custody. The judge described the offences as "cowardly" but noted Paget's significant rehabilitation efforts, stating he had done "Trojan work" and remained out of trouble since his last offence. The sentence was suspended on the condition that Paget remains drug and alcohol free and attends NA meetings. Prosecution evidence highlighted Paget's 128 previous convictions, including 25 under the Larceny Act, and an 18-month prison term for burglary in 2015. Defence counsel submitted that Paget has been drug-free for 23 months and has stable accommodation with his partner and child. Co-accused Paul Coady, 27, of Cabra, also pleaded guilty to the same offences on the same date, as well as an attempted robbery at Tesco Express, Aungier Street, on January 20, 2018. Coady, who has nine previous convictions for minor offences, was not sentenced at this stage and will be sentenced in October.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former addict with 128 previous convictions spared jail over "Trojan" efforts. Charges or matters: two robberies and attempted robbery of personal belongings at Abbey Street, Dublin, on January 18, 2017; the same offences on the same date; attempted robbery at Tesco Express, Aungier Street, Dublin, on January 20, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

January 2017 Incident
January 18, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
January 20, 2018 Other
2019-02-25 Publication

Why: A former drug addict with 128 previous convictions has been spared jail for robbery and attempted robbery because of his "Trojan work" at rehabilitation. CNI source report

Case subjects

Patrick Paget

Accused

Charges: two robberies and attempted robbery of personal belongings at Abbey Street, Dublin, on January 18, 2017; the same offences on the same date; attempted robbery at Tesco Express, Aungier Street, Dublin, on January 20, 2018 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Quinn described Paget's most recent crimes as "cowardly" but suspended the sentence on condition he remains drug and alcohol free and attends NA meetings.

Paul Coady

Convicted Person

Charges: the same offences on the same date; attempted robbery at Tesco Express, Aungier Street, Dublin, on January 20, 2018 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Coady has nine previous convictions for minor offences and will be sentenced in October.