Courts / Dublin / Report

Teen robbers punched victims unconscious in spree of "extreme violence"

Date
2019-07-29

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Temple Bar

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing on 29 July 2019, a 14‑year‑old juvenile and his 18‑year‑old accomplice, David O'Neill, pleaded guilty to four counts of robbery and a theft charge. The court heard the pair carried out three robberies in the early hours of one morning, punching victims and knocking them unconscious. CCTV footage showed the juvenile and O'Neill punching a medical student from Saudi Arabia, a second man leaving a nightclub, and a third man at Temple Bar. The juvenile also robbed a young man of his bank card and forced him to withdraw money from ATMs. The judge, citing the juvenile's age, remorse and cooperation, imposed a two‑year detention sentence. O'Neill received a four‑and‑a‑half‑year prison term with the final 18 months suspended. The court noted the victims suffered facial injuries and were taken to hospital.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Teen robbers punched victims unconscious in spree of "extreme violence". Charges or matters: three counts of robbery on November 15, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

November 15, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
October 14, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
2019-07-29 Publication

Case subjects

David O'Neill

Defendant

Charges: three counts of robbery on November 15, 2018 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He imposed a total of two years detention on the boy. He imposed a prison sentence of four and half years, suspending the final 18 months.