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Serial offender told gardai he was "off his head" on crack
Summary
David Dunne, 35, was sentenced to nine years for 13 robberies in Dublin between July and September 2017. He admitted the robberies were driven by a need to fund his crack cocaine and heroin addiction, saying he was "off my head on crack" and that he had sold his car for €300 to buy drugs. Dunne pleaded guilty at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The judge noted his 92 prior convictions and the seriousness of the 13 victims involved, but also his expressed wish to rehabilitate. Consecutive sentences totalling nine years were imposed, with the final year suspended on strict conditions, including victim‑focused work and residential drug treatment if directed. The robberies involved threats with knives, theft of over €2,640 in cash and cigarettes, and the use of CCTV footage to identify and prosecute him. The case highlighted the impact of drug addiction on criminal behaviour.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Serial offender told gardai he was "off his head" on crack. Charges or matters: a total of 13 robberies carried out in various convenience stores, fast food restaurants and petrol stations in Dublin on dates between July 28 and September 5, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 28 Incident
- September 5, 2017 Incident
- September 6, 2017 Other
- 2019-06-21 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: a total of 13 robberies carried out in various convenience stores, fast food restaurants and petrol stations in Dublin on dates between July 28 and September 5, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Sheahan imposed consecutive sentences totalling nine years and suspended the final year on strict conditions including engaging in victim-focused work and attending residential drug treatment if directed. He said Dunne was first detained at juvenile detention centre at the age of 10 and he had since been "less than two years at liberty". "He found himself somewhat institutionalised without supports and fell into drugs use," Mr Hourigan said.
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