Courts / Dublin / Report

Jail for beggar who turned to robbery due to Covid-19

Date
2020-11-13

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Gerard Dempsey, 25, a homeless man with no fixed abode, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment for robbery at Barrow Street, Ringsend, on 18 May 2020. He attacked a woman at night, stealing her phone to sell it for drugs after Covid‑19 stopped him from receiving charity money. The court noted his substance abuse as the main reason for the offence, and that he had four children with whom he had no contact. The offence was aggravated by its violent nature and the victim's isolation. Judge Patricia Ryan imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year term, suspending the final six months on strict conditions. The case involved a detailed account of the assault, the victim's attempts to escape, and Dempsey's admission of the crime. He had 57 prior convictions, including assault, burglary, theft, criminal damage and threats of serious harm. Gerard Dempsey pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for beggar who turned to robbery due to Covid-19. Charges or matters: robbery at Barrow Street, Ringsend, on May 18, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

May 18, 2020 Incident
2020-11-13 Publication

Why: A homeless man who committed robbery in order to purchase drugs because his usual source of revenue had been affected by Covid-19 has been jailed for two and a half years. CNI source report