Courts / Dublin / Report

Taxi driver unable to work nights after terrifying knife-point robbery

Date
2019-07-17

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 19‑year‑old John Gallagher was sentenced to an additional 21 months in prison for a knife‑point robbery that left a taxi driver unable to work nights. The judge cited the victim's impact statement, noting the driver's mental scars and loss of earnings. Gallagher had previously received a three‑year term for two similar robberies, and the new sentence is consecutive, with the final 15 months suspended on strict conditions. Gallagher pleaded guilty to robbery of €200 and a mobile phone from Nitesh Bhagat on 20 October 2018, and to a separate robbery at a Tallaght pharmacy on 22 May 2018. He had earlier convictions for road traffic offences. The court heard that the victim suffered bruises and a nick on his hand and neck, and that he was now too afraid to work at night.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Taxi driver unable to work nights after terrifying knife-point robbery. Charges or matters: robbery of €200 and a mobile phone from Nitesh Bhagat and production of a knife in Tallaght on October 20, 2018; the robberies in Tallaght on May 22, 2018 and October 19, 2018 respectively. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

October 20, 2018 Other
May 22, 2018 Other
October 19, 2018 Other
October 20 Other
May 22 Hearing Or Sentence
2019-07-17 Publication

Why: He has difficulty working at night because of it. CNI source report

Case subjects

John Gallagher

Convicted Person

Charges: robbery of €200 and a mobile phone from Nitesh Bhagat and production of a knife in Tallaght on October 20, 2018; the robberies in Tallaght on May 22, 2018 and October 19, 2018 respectively (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Gallagher was jailed for three years, two weeks ago, for two similar robberies during which he also used a knife to threaten another taxi driver and staff at a chemist. Judge Nolan sentenced Gallagher to three years consecutive to the three year term he imposed previously but suspended the final 15 months of the sentence on strict conditions.