Courts / Dublin / Report

Kerry man buying drugs in Dublin ended up in robbers car

Date
2021-07-02

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

David O'Neill, 26, from Kerry, was given a suspended nine‑month sentence for handling a stolen black Samsung Galaxy S9. He was in Dublin to obtain drugs when a car he was in was stopped by Gardaí. O'Neill claimed he was grateful the Gardaí arrived before the men could rob him. He admitted to receiving a stolen phone from the men, who had offered to supply drugs, and later returned the phone and €900 to the victim. The court noted his history of drug‑related convictions, his ongoing rehabilitation, attendance at Narcotics Anonymous, and stable employment. Judge Melanie Greally accepted his guilty plea, his remorse, and his efforts to address addiction, and imposed the suspended sentence with conditions to continue NA and hand over the €900 to the victim or a charity. The case remains a criminal proceeding with no further verdicts reported.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Kerry man buying drugs in Dublin ended up in robbers car. Charges or matters: handling a black Samsung Galaxy S9 mobile phone knowing or being reckless as to whether it was stolen at Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8, on January 15, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

January 15, 2020 Incident
February 2021 Incident
2021-07-02 Publication

Why: Det Gda Ryan agreed with Cathal McGreal BL, defending, that O'Neill told gardai he was thankful that they came because he was under the apprehension that he was next to be robbed by the men. Defence account reported by CNI

Case subjects

David O'Neill

Defendant

Charges: handling a black Samsung Galaxy S9 mobile phone knowing or being reckless as to whether it was stolen at Marrowbone Lane, Dublin 8, on January 15, 2020 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: David O'Neill (26), who received a suspended sentence for handling stolen property, told gardai he was thankful gardai had arrived as he feared the men in the car, whom he had just met, were about to rob him next. Judge Greally imposed a nine-month sentence which she suspended in full on conditions including that he continue to attend NA and that the €900 be handed over to the injured party or a charity of his choice.