Courts / Dublin / Report
Man jailed over drunken demand for money and threat to damage car
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court case, Derek Smith, aged 33, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended on condition. Smith, a resident of Holly Road, Donnycarney, pleaded guilty to demanding money with menaces at a Whitehall house on 26 September 2013, claiming he had been intoxicated and acting under instructions. He admitted to threatening to smash the victim's car after the homeowner denied any debt. Smith, who has 13 prior convictions for road traffic offences, expressed deep remorse and described the act as "ridiculous." The judge noted the victim's loss of peace of mind and the seriousness of the offence, while defence counsel argued that a custodial sentence would be disproportionate given Smith's family responsibilities and financial difficulties. The court imposed the suspended sentence, reflecting the defendant's lack of pre‑planning and the influence of others on the night in question. The case remains at the sentencing stage, with no further proceedings reported.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man jailed over drunken demand for money and threat to damage car. Charges or matters: demanding money with menaces at a house in Whitehall, Dublin 9 on September 26, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 26, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2014-11-19 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: demanding money with menaces at a house in Whitehall, Dublin 9 on September 26, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Ring imposed a three year sentence and suspended the final 18 months on conditions.
Places mentioned
Topics
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