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Crack user's sentence for causing injury to garda is upheld
Summary
Christina Joyce, 31, was found guilty of endangering Garda Thomas Gallagher and assaulting him on 9 April 2018 at Macken Villas, Grand Canal Dock. She also pleaded guilty to two counts of trespass, damaging a wall and a car. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced her to four‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment on 19 July 2018, a sentence upheld by the Court of Appeal. The appeal was dismissed by a three‑judge panel headed by Ms Justice Aileen Donnelly. The court noted that Joyce, while high on crack cocaine, drove her Volvo at speed, failed to stop when signalled, and fled after a confrontation with the garda. She had a history of 67 convictions, including 14 public‑order offences and 13 theft or fraud offences. The appeal was rejected, leaving the original sentence in place.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Crack user's sentence for causing injury to garda is upheld. Charges or matters: endangering Garda Thomas Gallagher and assault causing him harm at Macken Villas, Grand Canal Dock on April 9, 2018; two counts of trespass, damaging a wall and damaging a car on the same date. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- April 9, 2018 Incident
- July 19, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2019-07-19 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: endangering Garda Thomas Gallagher and assault causing him harm at Macken Villas, Grand Canal Dock on April 9, 2018; two counts of trespass, damaging a wall and damaging a car on the same date (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She was sentenced to four-and-a-half years imprisonment by Judge Martin Nolan on July 19, 2018, which was upheld by the Court of Appeal today. Joyce had only recently received a suspended sentence, she committed the series of offences while on bail and there was no evidence of any concrete steps being taken towards rehabilitation.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Dublin City
- Waterloo Road
Topics
Drugs Fraud Stage Appeal Theft
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