Courts / Dublin / Report

"Well dressed" thief who appealed jail term has sentence increased after failing to heed warning

Date
2019-02-28

Stage
Appeal

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Liam Walsh, a 27‑year‑old from Tallaght, was sentenced to two‑and‑a‑half years in prison for eight thefts in Dublin city centre in September and October 2017, including stealing a wallet from a pregnant woman at Supermacs and a handbag from an 87‑year‑old woman at the Shelbourne Hotel. He also pleaded guilty to an attempt to escape lawful custody at Pearse Street Garda Station. On 31 May 2018 Judge Martin Nolan imposed the original sentence. On 28 February 2019 the Court of Appeal increased Walsh's sentence to 35 months, but suspended the final five months for two years post‑release. The suspended portion will be activated if he breaches the conditions of his good‑behaviour bond and probation requirements. The court structured the sentence as eight consecutive month terms for each count, then reduced it by ten months to reach the final two‑and‑a‑half‑year term with the suspended five‑month period.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: "Well dressed" thief who appealed jail term has sentence increased after failing to heed warning. Charges or matters: eight thefts at a variety of premises in Dublin city centre on dates in September and October 2017. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

October 2017 Incident
October 20, 2017 Incident
May 31, 2018 Incident
2019-02-28 Publication

Case subjects

Unnamed 27-year-old

Defendant

Charges: eight thefts at a variety of premises in Dublin city centre on dates in September and October 2017 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He was sentenced to two-and-a-half years imprisonment by Judge Martin Nolan on May 31, 2018. The court imposed eight month sentences on each of the five counts to which he pleaded guilty – four thefts and one count of attempting to escape lawful custody – leaving him with a headline sentence of 40 months.