Courts / Dublin / Report
Man who rammed garda patrol car fails in appeal against eight-year sentence
Summary
In November 2014 the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal of John Cully, a 43‑year‑old Dublin resident, who had been sentenced to eight years in prison for endangerment after he rammed a Garda patrol car in a stolen jeep on Halloween 2011. Cully had pleaded guilty to endangerment on 31 October 2011 and to using a stolen car and driving on a footpath on 17 June 2012. The original sentencing judge imposed four years for each offence, with the last two years suspended, and an eight‑year driving disqualification. The appeal was rejected because the Court of Appeal found no error in the trial judge's decision, noting Cully's guilty plea, expressions of remorse, difficult personal circumstances, serious health problems, and a history of 41 convictions, including ten for unlawful vehicle taking and a ten‑year robbery sentence. The Court of Appeal therefore upheld the eight‑year sentence and the suspended portion.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who rammed garda patrol car fails in appeal against eight-year sentence. Charges or matters: endangerment on October 31, 2011; using a stolen car and to driving on the footpath in a manner likely to endanger the public on June 17, 2012 at Parkwest Avenue in Dublin 12. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- October 31, 2011 Incident
- June 17, 2012 Incident
- 2014-11-13 Publication
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: endangerment on October 31, 2011; using a stolen car and to driving on the footpath in a manner likely to endanger the public on June 17, 2012 at Parkwest Avenue in Dublin 12 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Mary Ellen Ring sentenced Cully to four years in prison for the first offence and four years consecutively for the second, with the last two years suspended. He said it was quite clear that the trial judge had considered all relevant factors prior to sentencing and had suspended two years of the sentence, which was reasonable and appropriate.
Places mentioned
- Court of Appeal
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Blackditch Road
- Parkwest Avenue
- Dublin
Topics
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