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Chronic addict gets seven-year sentence for string of offences committed while on temporary release from prison

Summary

Owen Comerford, 27, of Dublin 1, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for multiple theft and robbery offences committed between April 2, 2012, and January 9, 2013. He pleaded guilty to charges including robbing Slovak Point on Arran Quay twice in April 2012 and stealing from Decobake on Bachelor's Walk. Judge Mary Ellen Ring noted that six offences occurred while he was on temporary release from Mountjoy Prison. Comerford also admitted to robbing €200 from The Butler's Pantry in Sandycove on May 8, 2012, alongside co-accused Shane Pollard, 41. Pollard, who has 29 previous convictions, received a three-year sentence with the final two years suspended, consecutive to a four-year term he is serving for another robbery. Comerford, who has 131 previous convictions, was also charged with escaping from lawful custody at Donnybrook Garda Station in July 2012 and was rearrested on August 9, 2012. His final offence involved robbing a pharmacy at Summerhill Parade on January 9, 2013, where he brandished a knife. Judge Ring imposed a seven-year sentence on Comerford, with one year suspended. Defence counsel Michael Bowman SC highlighted Comerford's severe drug addiction and requested an adjournment to secure a treatment bed at Tiglin Residential Treatment Centre, but the court proceeded to sentence him.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Chronic addict gets seven-year sentence for string of offences committed while on temporary release from prison. Charges or matters: multiple theft and robbery offences committed between April 2, 2012 and January 9, 2013. "He was making the most of his time out," said Judge Mary Ellen Ring, on hearing evidence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court; stealing from and robbing a shop called Slovak Point on Arran Quay twice in April 2012; robbing €200 from The Butler's Pantry on Sandycove Road, Sandycove with co-accused grandfather-of-two Shane Pollard (41) on May 8, 2012; escaping from lawful custody and was rearrested on August 9, 2012. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• April 2, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 9, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 25, 2012 Other
• April 2012 Incident
• April 2 Incident
• April 17 Incident
• May 19, 2012 Other
• May 8, 2012 Incident
• July 30, 2012 Incident
• August 9, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
• January 9 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2014-12-17 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report