Courts / Dublin / Report

Mother-of-two who acted as getaway driver in two robberies gets suspended sentence

Date
2014-11-04
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Amanda Murphy, 28, pleaded guilty to two charges of aiding the escape of robbers who had committed an attempted robbery and a robbery on 8 October 2011. The case involved two men who entered a convenience store in Harolds Cross, fled with a getaway car, then robbed a Centra Store on Lower Kimmage Road, and later mugged a woman in Ballsbridge. Garda Paul O'Hanlon described how officers found a Ford Focus with an imitation firearm and a balaclava, and that Murphy was the driver. She had no prior convictions and was described as vulnerable due to drug addiction. After attending all probation appointments and entering a methadone maintenance programme, Judge Ring suspended a two‑and‑a‑half‑year jail term on strict conditions, including probation supervision, rather than imposing custodial time. The two men received a partly suspended three‑year term and an 18‑month suspended sentence respectively.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Mother-of-two who acted as getaway driver in two robberies gets suspended sentence. Charges or matters: two charges of acting to impede the apprehension or prosecution of someone knowing they were responsible for a robbery and an attempted robbery on October 8, 2011. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Amanda Murphy

Defendant

Charges: two charges of acting to impede the apprehension or prosecution of someone knowing they were responsible for a robbery and an attempted robbery on October 8, 2011 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Today Judge Ring said it had been her intention to impose a jail term but she noted from an updated probation report that Murphy has since attended all appointments and is now on a methadone maintenance programme. "She has begun to address the issues in a more positive fashion according to the Probation Service," the judge said before she suspended a two and half year jail term on strict conditions including probation supervision.; Judge Mary Ellen had adjourned the case having heard evidence initially in February this year and again in July to give Murphy more time to co-operate with the Probation Service.

Places mentioned

Secondary Mention
Residence
  • Bride Street
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Address Area
  • Lower Kimmage Road
  • Trinity Street

Topics

Drugs Firearms Stage Sentence Theft

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