Courts / Dublin / Report
Teen avoids jail for violent robbery of taxi driver
Summary
In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, 20‑year‑old Andrew Hillick and his co‑accused Michael Matthews were found guilty of assault causing harm and robbery after they broke a glass partition in a taxi, punched the driver in the head, kicked him in the ribs, and stole €60 and a mobile phone. The driver suffered a broken nose and other injuries. Both men had no prior convictions. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a two‑year suspended sentence on Hillick, ordering him to engage with the Probation Service for two years, attend all appointments, and undergo a full mental health review. Matthews had previously received a similar suspended sentence. The court noted the teenagers' intoxication and the driver's role as a "blameless member of society" who was simply doing his job. The sentencing reflected concerns about the youths' drug use and the need for rehabilitation rather than custodial punishment.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Teen avoids jail for violent robbery of taxi driver. Charges or matters: assault causing harm and robbery at Belgard Road, Tallaght, on November 17, 2020. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 17, 2020 Incident
- 2022-11-16 Publication
Why: Andrew Hillick (20) and his co-accused Michael Matthews (20) broke the glass partition inside the taxi in order to attack the driver, punching him in the head and kicking him in the ribs. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: assault causing harm and robbery at Belgard Road, Tallaght, on November 17, 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Co Accused
Charges: assault causing harm and robbery at Belgard Road, Tallaght, on November 17, 2020 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Matthews was previously handed down a two-year suspended sentence last July.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Belgard Road
- Tallaght
- nearby garda station
- he stopped outside the garda station
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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