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"I'm not going to lie to you garda. I am just after robbing a guy in Rathmines": court hears of open admission
Summary
Stephen Whelan, 36, was jailed after admitting to robbing a man in Rathmines while cycling through a red light. Garda Joseph Heaphy had stopped Whelan for reckless cycling and observed him throw a phone under a car. When questioned, Whelan confessed that he had robbed the victim, who handed over his phone and wallet, to satisfy a drug debt. He had 68 prior convictions and pleaded guilty to robbery and knife possession. Judge Martin Nolan noted Whelan's open admission and remorse, but also his need for quick money. He imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year custodial sentence, suspending the final 14 months. The court considered Whelan's desire to reform and the fact that the crime was discovered because of the Garda's intervention. The case was heard in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 5 December 2019.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "I'm not going to lie to you garda. I am just after robbing a guy in Rathmines": court hears of open admission. Charges or matters: robbery and production of a knife in Rathmines on September 2, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 2, 2018 Other
- 2011 and 2017 Incident
- 2019-12-05 Publication
Why: Stephen Whelan (36) was asked why he had thrown a phone under a car by the garda who had signalled him to stop in order to speak to him about the manner in which he was cycling. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: robbery and production of a knife in Rathmines on September 2, 2018 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He also noted Whelan wants to reform himself but said he could not accede to a defence submission to impose a suspended sentence. Judge Nolan imposed a two and a half year sentence and suspended the final 14 months.
Places mentioned
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