Courts / Dublin / Report

Youth appeals sentence for robbery and false imprisonment of teenagers

Date
2020-05-08
Stage
Appeal
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In April 2019, a 17‑year‑old was convicted of robbery, assault and false imprisonment of three 15‑year‑old boys in St Aidan's Park, Marino. He was sentenced to four years' detention for the false imprisonment count by Judge Martin Nolan, with the other offences considered. Garda Kevin Murphy testified that the boy was part of a group that forced the boys to hand over phones and money, threatened them with a knife, and that the teenager later kicked and punched one boy. The defendant admitted participation after viewing CCTV and had 18 prior convictions. On 8 May 2020 he appealed the sentence, arguing the judge failed to incorporate rehabilitation and that a less severe sentence could have been imposed if he had been dealt with as an adult. The Court of Appeal, presided over by Justice George Birmingham, noted the case would be decided in about two weeks. The unnamed 15-year-old pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Youth appeals sentence for robbery and false imprisonment of teenagers. Charges or matters: three counts of robbery, two counts of assault causing harm and three counts of false imprisonment in April 2019. Procedural stage: appeal

When:

Why: The teenager, who cannot be named because he was a minor at the time, pleaded guilty to three counts of robbery, two counts of assault causing harm and three counts of false imprisonment in April 2019. CNI source report

Case subjects

Unnamed 15-year-old

Appellant

Charges: three counts of robbery, two counts of assault causing harm and three counts of false imprisonment in April 2019 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: The teenage boy was sentenced to four years detention in respect of the count of false imprisonment by Judge Martin Nolan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on April 12, 2019 and the other counts were taken into consideration. Counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions, Elva Duffy BL, argued that the judge had imposed a balanced sentence.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
  • Court of Appeal
Address Area
  • St Aidan's Park
  • Fairview Park

Topics

Stage Appeal Theft Violent Crime

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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