Courts / Donegal / Report
Man avoids jail for vicious robbery of first year student
Summary
A man convicted of robbing a university student on the Dublin City University campus in February 2021 has received a fully suspended sentence from Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Alex Cullen, aged 27, and Alan Giles, aged 30, both of Finglas, pleaded guilty to robbery following a vicious attack on the first-year student as he returned to his accommodation. The victim was punched and kicked during the incident and had his phone and cards stolen. Two other students intervened and the men left the scene. Judge Melanie Greally noted the assault was "highly vicious and violent" and appeared drug-fuelled. She sentenced Cullen to five years imprisonment, suspended entirely on condition he comply with Probation Service directions for one year. Giles was remanded on continuing bail pending finalisation of his case on 1 July. Both men were ordered to pay €1,000 compensation to the victim. The victim, from Donegal, has since returned to his studies.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man avoids jail for vicious robbery of first year student. Charges or matters: robbery at DCU Glasnevin Campus, Glasnevin, on February 9, 2021. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- February 9, 2021 Incident
- July 1 Adjournment
- 2022-03-30 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: robbery at DCU Glasnevin Campus, Glasnevin, on February 9, 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She remanded Giles on continuing bail and adjourned his case for finalisation to July 1, next.
Defendant
Charges: robbery at DCU Glasnevin Campus, Glasnevin, on February 9, 2021 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She said this offence would normally attract a custodial sentence but in Cullen's "very particular circumstances" it could be dealt with without his immediate incarceration. Judge Greally sentenced Cullen to five years imprisonment but suspended the sentence in its entirety on strict conditions, including that he follow all directions of the Probation Service for one year.; She remanded Giles on continuing bail and adjourned his case for finalisation to July 1, next.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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