Courts / Dublin / Report
Armed carjacker carried out two offences in one night
Summary
Christopher Prentice, 25, of Tallaght, Dublin, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for two armed carjackings committed on February 6, 2020. Prentice pleaded guilty to two counts of seizing control of a vehicle by force in south Dublin. He also admitted to dangerous driving in Clondalkin and assaulting two gardaí during a high-speed chase that ended when he rammed their patrol car. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Prentice to six and a half years in prison and disqualified him from driving for ten years. The judge noted that Prentice was serving the suspended portion of a January 2019 sentence for dangerous driving of a stolen car when these offences occurred. Prentice had previously been convicted of a carjacking in December 2014. In mitigation, his defense counsel, James Dwyer SC, highlighted Prentice's remorse and his claim that he was grieving the recent death of a cousin while under the influence of alcohol and cannabis. Victims described severe trauma, with one female driver stating she could no longer work in sales due to anxiety, and a taxi driver wishing to leave the profession. The court acknowledged the vulnerability of the victims and the traumatic nature of the attacks.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Armed carjacker carried out two offences in one night. Charges or matters: two counts of seizing control of a vehicle by force on February 6, 2020 at locations in south Dublin. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 6, 2020 Incident
- January 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- May 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- December 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2020-11-04 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: two counts of seizing control of a vehicle by force on February 6, 2020 at locations in south Dublin (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan sentenced Prentice to six and a half years and disqualified him from driving for ten years. At the time of these offences Prentice was out serving the suspended portion of a sentence imposed in January 2019 for dangerously driving a stolen car in May 2018.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Drugs Road Traffic Stage Sentence Theft
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