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Criminal hoped to represent Ireland in bodybuilding
Summary
Derek Hearns, 35, was sentenced by Judge Patricia Ryan in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after a February trial on eight counts related to an attack on David O'Sullivan's home in Baldoyle in February 2016. He was found guilty of producing a knife, robbing €10 and stealing a mobile phone, while the jury could not agree on the remaining charges, which were struck out. Hearns maintains his innocence on all counts. The judge, noting the night‑time assault occurred when O'Sullivan's partner and child were present, imposed a three‑year sentence with the final year suspended under conditions. Hearns, a father of four with 46 prior convictions, is now confined under strict Covid‑19 prison rules, spending 22 hours and 40 minutes a day in his cell and unable to see his family. He had hoped to represent Ireland in bodybuilding before the pandemic and has recently completed drug rehabilitation. Derek Hearns was acquitted.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Criminal hoped to represent Ireland in bodybuilding. Charges or matters: falsely imprisoning David O'Sullivan at his home in Baldoyle, assaulting him causing harm, producing a knife, three counts of threatening to kill or harm Mr O'Sullivan, his partner and his partner's child and robbing €10 and a mobile phone; only. Procedural stage: sentence. Findings: Acquitted
When:
- February 2016 Incident
- 2020-05-01 Publication
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: falsely imprisoning David O'Sullivan at his home in Baldoyle, assaulting him causing harm, producing a knife, three counts of threatening to kill or harm Mr O'Sullivan, his partner and his partner's child and robbing €10 and a mobile phone; only (Alleged Or Contested)
Finding: Acquitted
Outcome: Acquitted; Handing down sentence, Judge Patricia Ryan noted that Hearns continues to maintain his innocence in relation to all charges. She handed down a three-year sentence but suspended the final year on a number of conditions.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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