Courts / Dublin / Report
Getaway driver for failed cash van robbery loses appeal against sentence and lifetime driving ban
Summary
Paul Norton, 27, of Cromcastle Court, Kilmore, lost an appeal against a seven‑year prison sentence and a lifetime driving ban for his role as getaway driver in a failed cash van robbery at the Northside Shopping Centre on 6 June 2012. He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. The judge, Mr Justice Patrick McCartan, suspended the final two years of the sentence and imposed a life disqualification from driving, noting Norton had been disqualified 11 times before. Mr Justice John Edwards, speaking for the Court of Appeal, described how Norton fled from security after a robbery attempt, drove at high speed, ran a red light, and was thrown from his bike when avoiding a JCB. He had 80 prior convictions, including similar offences, and had been shot and involved in a traffic accident on earlier trial dates. The appeal was dismissed, and the court confirmed the sentence and driving ban.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Getaway driver for failed cash van robbery loses appeal against sentence and lifetime driving ban. Charges or matters: attempted robbery at the Northside Shopping Centre, Oscar Traynor Road on June 6, 2012. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- June 6, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 30, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-12-03 Publication
Why: He said somebody had asked him for a lift and he was waiting in the underpass because he had no tax or insurance. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: attempted robbery at the Northside Shopping Centre, Oscar Traynor Road on June 6, 2012 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced to seven years imprisonment with the final two suspended by Mr Justice Patrick McCartan on January 30, 2015. Norton was also disqualified from driving for life by the judge, having been disqualified 11 times previously.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Oscar Traynor Road
Topics
Road Traffic Stage Appeal Theft
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