Courts / Westmeath / Report

'Utter disgrace': Criminal made robbery bid with abducted children in car

Date
2023-02-28

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Collinstown

Summary

Aaron Gilsenan, 42, with 93 prior convictions, was jailed for four years after a series of offences in Clondalkin. He first attempted to rob a shop while intoxicated, fled without taking anything, and then stole a car that had been left by its owner with the keys in the ignition and two children, aged four and six, sitting in the back. The owner had left the car for a few minutes to buy groceries; when Gilsenan realised the car was missing, he returned to the shop, where the sales assistant called the Gardaí. The car was stopped 2 km away, and the children were unharmed and reunited with their father after about ten minutes. Gilsenan then tried to rob a nail salon, pulling the cash register and causing damage, but left the children in the car and used the vehicle to escape. Aaron Gilsenan pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Utter disgrace': Criminal made robbery bid with abducted children in car. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

May 30, 2022 Adjournment
2023-02-28 Publication

Why: He acknowledged that Gilsenan has had a long battle with addiction, had built up a drug debt and was attempting to rob in order to get money to clear that debt. CNI source report