Courts / Dublin / Report
Collins gang members jailed for using modified cars to steal from building sites
Summary
Martin Collins (42) and his brother Michael (33) were sentenced to three years in prison for a series of thefts carried out between March and August 2020. The brothers used modified people‑carrier cars, blackening windows and removing rear seats to conceal stolen tools from building sites. They were found guilty of possessing a vehicle with intent to commit theft at Barclay Court, Blackrock, on 23 March 2020, and of participating in organised crime. Martin admitted possession of plant equipment worth €5,080 stolen from Irish Rail on 19 August 2020, including a leaf‑blower, an Alpha mixer and an Atlas Trench Whacker. Judge Martin Nolan set a headline sentence of four and a half years, deducted 18 months, leaving an effective term of three years. The brothers had previously served 16‑month sentences for similar offences. The court noted their family background, mental health issues and efforts to disengage from crime.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Collins gang members jailed for using modified cars to steal from building sites. Charges or matters: a series of charges committed between March and August 2020, including possessing a car with the intention of using it to commit theft at Barclay Court, Blackrock, on March 23 that year; participating in activities related to organised crime, while Martin Collins admitted possessing plant equipment worth €5,080 stolen from Irish Rail on August 19, 2020 in Dunboyne, Co Meath. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 2020 Incident
- March 23 Incident
- August 19, 2020 Incident
- March 23, 2020 Incident
- September 2019 Incident
- August 19 Incident
- August 31, 2020 Incident
- 2024-04-25 Publication
Why: Martin Collins (42) and his younger brother Michael (33) were part of the Collins' organised crime group, whose modus operandi was to buy people-carriers, blacken the windows and remove the back seats in order to conceal stolen property, a court has heard. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: a series of charges committed between March and August 2020, including possessing a car with the intention of using it to commit theft at Barclay Court, Blackrock, on March 23 that year; participating in activities related to organised crime, while Martin Collins admitted possessing plant equipment worth €5,080 stolen from Irish Rail on August 19, 2020 in Dunboyne, Co Meath (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Nolan noted that he had previously sentenced both brothers to 16 months in prison in 2021 for similar offences without the organised crime element. The judge said both Martin and Michael Collins have done quite well since serving their sentences and seem to have "copped on" but that there was "a chance" that they would reoffend.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Woodford
- Woodford Drive
- Pearse House
- Pearse Street
- Dublin
- Connolly Avenue
Topics
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