Courts / Dublin / Report
Young Dublin man with 88 previous convictions faces increased prison sentence for possession of imitation firearm and robbery
Summary
Lee McDonnell, 23, of Ballyfermot, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit robbery at Sarsfield Service Station on 21 January 2012, and to robbery of cigarettes, a sunglass case and the shop assistant on the same occasion. He was originally sentenced to six years' imprisonment, with three years suspended by Judge Martin Nolan on 19 November 2012. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed the three‑year suspended term, arguing it was unduly lenient. The appeal was scheduled for the Court of Appeal in December but McDonnell was absent. Counsel Michael Bowman SC argued that the judge erred in suspending 50 % of the sentence, citing McDonnell's 88 prior convictions and a previous four‑year hijacking sentence. Judge Michael Peart, with Justices Alan Mahon and Garrett Sheehan, agreed the sentence was unduly lenient and that the firearm offence had been treated merely as part of the overall offence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Young Dublin man with 88 previous convictions faces increased prison sentence for possession of imitation firearm and robbery. Charges or matters: possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit robbery at Sarsfield Service Station, Ballyfermot on January 21 2012; robbery of cigarettes and a sunglass case and to robbery of the shop assistant on the same occasion. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- January 21 2012 Incident
- November 19, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-05-15 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit robbery at Sarsfield Service Station, Ballyfermot on January 21 2012; robbery of cigarettes and a sunglass case and to robbery of the shop assistant on the same occasion (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced to six years imprisonment with the final three suspended by Judge Martin Nolan at on November 19, 2012. Mr Justice Michael Peart, who sat with Mr Justice Alan Mahon and Mr Justice Garrett Sheehan, said the sentence imposed on McDonnell was "unduly lenient".
Places mentioned
- Lough Conn road
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request