Courts / Dublin / Report
Violent criminal who repeatedly kicked robbery victim on ground gets five years
Summary
Joseph O'Brien, aged 35, was sentenced to seven years' imprisonment, with the final two years suspended, for a series of robberies and violent assaults committed while serving a suspended sentence. On 21 January 2019, he struck a robbery victim on the back of the head with a glass bottle, then repeatedly kicked the man 20–30 times before stealing his phone. The victim suffered a laceration, facial bruising, black eyes and a broken tooth. O'Brien had previously robbed the same pharmacy on 19 January and again on 23 April 2019, using a knife and a screwdriver to threaten staff and steal cash. His 56 prior convictions include robbery, burglary, theft, assault of a peace officer and drug‑related offences. The judge noted the offences were aggravated by his suspended sentence and his drug difficulties, and he must comply with strict probation conditions for 12 months after release. Joseph O'Brien pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Violent criminal who repeatedly kicked robbery victim on ground gets five years. Charges or matters: robbery at James Street, Dublin City centre, on January 21, 2019; robbery at a pharmacy on James Street on January 19, 2019, and to a further robbery of the same pharmacy on April 23, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 21, 2019 Incident
- January 19, 2019 Incident
- April 23, 2019 Incident
- March 2020 Other
- 2022-04-06 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: robbery at James Street, Dublin City centre, on January 21, 2019; robbery at a pharmacy on James Street on January 19, 2019, and to a further robbery of the same pharmacy on April 23, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: The judge said the offences were committed while O'Brien was serving the suspended portion of a sentence, which further aggravates them. Judge Greally sentenced O'Brien to seven years imprisonment but suspended the final two years on strict conditions, including that he follow all directions of the Probation Service for 12 months post release.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- James Street
- Dublin City
- James Street
Topics
Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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