Courts / Dublin / Report

Six-year sentence for robber who brandished machete at pursuing gardai

Date
2019-05-29

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A 22‑year‑old man, Dean Donovan, and his uncle Jonathan Donovan (33) robbed a Spar shop on Martin's Road, Chapelizod, on 8 April 2018, taking €305 in cash. While fleeing, Dean brandished a machete at Garda Peter Smyth and Garda James Keogh, who were approaching the shop. The pair escaped in an Opel Corsa, but were pursued and arrested. Dean was sentenced to six years' imprisonment with the final two years suspended; Jonathan received six and a half years' imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended and was disqualified from driving for five years. Both pleaded guilty to robbery; Dean also pleaded guilty to six burglary counts in Dublin and to possession of a machete, while Jonathan pleaded guilty to driving without insurance. The judge noted each defendant's prior convictions, addiction history and efforts at rehabilitation. The sentences reflect the seriousness of the robbery and the use of a weapon.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Six-year sentence for robber who brandished machete at pursuing gardai. Charges or matters: robbery of the Spar shop on Martin's Road, Chapelizod on April 8, 2018; driving without insurance on the same occasion; six counts of burglary at locations in Dublin in October 2015 and on dates between January and March 2018. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

April 8, 2018 Incident
October 2015 Incident
March 2018 Incident
2019-05-29 Publication

Case subjects

Jonathan Donovan

Convicted Person

Charges: robbery of the Spar shop on Martin's Road, Chapelizod on April 8, 2018; driving without insurance on the same occasion; six counts of burglary at locations in Dublin in October 2015 and on dates between January and March 2018 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Today Jonathan Donovan was also sentenced to six and half years in prison with the final 18 months suspended after the judge acknowledged that he has a more serious criminal convictions than his nephew. He was on the suspended portion of that sentence, which has since been reactivated, when this robbery was committed.; Judge Melanie Greally had previously adjourned the case having first heard the evidence earlier this month.