Courts / Dublin / Report
Mugger targeted woman (73) who had just won €23k in casino
Summary
Iancu Nicola, 30, was remanded in custody pending sentence after mugging a 73‑year‑old woman who had just won €23,000 at a city‑centre casino. Nicola, who had previously pleaded guilty to robbery in 2016, was joined by accomplice Declan Connolly, 41, and spotter Brian English, 32. Connolly was sentenced to five years' imprisonment with the final two and a half years suspended; English received a three‑year suspended sentence. Nicola was remanded for a further sentence, with his counsel requesting a Probation Service report. Gardaí used extensive CCTV footage to link the trio to the crime, noting that the getaway vehicle had false plates and was registered to Connolly. The victim was dragged down an embankment, sustaining severe bruising and cuts. No admissions were made by the accused during Garda interviews. The case remains pending further sentencing.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Mugger targeted woman (73) who had just won €23k in casino. Charges or matters: robbery of the woman outside her home in Templeogue on October 7, 2016; the robbery; stealing the €23,000 from the woman after gardaí were satisfied that he acted as "a spotter" that evening and passed on information in relation to the victim. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- October 7, 2016 Incident
- October 2021 Incident
- November 2019 Incident
- November 1 Adjournment
- 2022-05-25 Publication
Why: He said his client had got involved in the offence because he had a gambling addiction at the time. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: robbery of the woman outside her home in Templeogue on October 7, 2016; the robbery; stealing the €23,000 from the woman after gardaí were satisfied that he acted as "a spotter" that evening and passed on information in relation to the victim (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Connolly was sentenced to five years in prison with the final two and a half years suspended, while English was given a three-year suspended sentence by Judge Martin Nolan in November 2019.; Judge Melanie Greally remanded Nicola in continuing custody to November 1 next for sentence, following a request by his counsel, Ian Woodland BL, to have a report from the Probation Service prepared for the case.
Defendant
Charges: robbery of the woman outside her home in Templeogue on October 7, 2016; the robbery; stealing the €23,000 from the woman after gardaí were satisfied that he acted as "a spotter" that evening and passed on information in relation to the victim (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Connolly was sentenced to five years in prison with the final two and a half years suspended, while English was given a three-year suspended sentence by Judge Martin Nolan in November 2019.; Judge Melanie Greally remanded Nicola in continuing custody to November 1 next for sentence, following a request by his counsel, Ian Woodland BL, to have a report from the Probation Service prepared for the case.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Coultry Drive
- Santry Avenue
- North King Street
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Mountjoy
- Mountjoy Prison
Topics
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