Courts / Dublin / Report

Jail for 'ringleader' of Dart phone robbery gang

Date
2024-01-22
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Cian Jones, 22, was found guilty of two counts of robbery and two of attempted robbery for leading a gang that robbed mobile phones from four teenage boys on a northbound Dart train between Dun Laoghaire and Tara Street. The court described the offence as serious, noting the victims were travelling home and were forced to sit beside the robbers, who threatened to stab them and demanded their phones. Jones took three iPhones and a Samsung A52, returned a blue iPhone and the Samsung, and demanded a factory reset from one victim. He also demanded cash, which the boys did not have, and warned them not to report to Gardaí. The judge imposed a four‑and‑a‑half‑year sentence, suspended the final 18 months on strict conditions, and noted Jones's early guilty plea and personal circumstances as mitigating factors.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Jail for 'ringleader' of Dart phone robbery gang. Charges or matters: two counts of robbery and two of attempted robbery on June 20, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Cian Jones

Defendant

Charges: two counts of robbery and two of attempted robbery on June 20, 2022 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Imposing sentence today, Judge Dara Hayes said the four teenagers had the "extraordinary misfortune to meet Jones and his acquaintances" while making their way home from Dun Laoghaire. The investigating garda agreed with Justin McQuade BL, defending, that Jones's earliest release date for his current sentence is next October.

Places mentioned

Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Address Area
  • Tara Street
  • Jones place
Facility
  • O'Farrell House
  • Wheatfield Prison
Residence

Topics

Stage Sentence Theft

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