Courts / Dublin / Report
Cancer patient broke man's leg and robbed him of bookies winnings
Summary
Martin Hanley, 55, pleaded guilty to robbing a 65‑year‑old man outside a bookies on Gardiner Lane, Dublin, on 23 November 2017. He knocked the victim, Frank O'Neill, to the ground with a punch, demanded money while O'Neill lay on the ground, and stood on his leg. O'Neill's tibia was broken, leaving him unable to run or walk for a period and preventing him from walking his dog. Hanley, who is undergoing cancer treatment and has had a lung removed, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, by Judge Karen O'Connor on 29 March 2019. The Court of Appeal upheld the sentence, rejecting the appeal that it was too severe. The appeal was dismissed by Mr Justice George Birmingham, who noted the violence and injury inflicted and the victim's refusal of a €2,000 token of remorse offered by Hanley's family. The final sentence was three years' imprisonment, with no further suspension or adjustment.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Cancer patient broke man's leg and robbed him of bookies winnings. Charges or matters: the robbery at Gardiner Lane in the capital, on November 23, 2017. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- November 23, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 29, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2019-11-14 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the robbery at Gardiner Lane in the capital, on November 23, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced to five years imprisonment with the final two suspended by Judge Karen O'Connor on March 29, 2019, which was upheld by the Court of Appeal today. The Court of Appeal may have upheld an even higher sentence, had it been imposed.
Places mentioned
- Gardiner Lane
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Parnell Street
- Mountjoy
- Mountjoy Square
Topics
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