Courts / Dublin / Report

Criminal sentenced to 7.5 years for endangerment of garda and robbery

Date
2015-12-15

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Joseph French, 24, of Neilstown Park, Clondalkin, was sentenced by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to seven and a half years for endangerment of a Garda and dangerous driving. He pleaded guilty to endangerment on the Ninth Lock Road, dangerous driving on Cherry Orchard Avenue, and driving without insurance. French also admitted to two robberies and an attempted robbery between 30 July and 9 August 2014 at Centra on La Touche Road, Bluebell, and Mace on Manor Road. His prior convictions include robbery, theft, burglary, possession of knives, and drug offences. Judge Martin Nolan imposed consecutive terms of seven and a half years, suspending the final two years on strict conditions. French was disqualified from driving for five years. The sentence reflects the violent nature of the robberies, which were committed to fund a drug habit, and the serious risk posed to Garda Fiona Ruddy during the high‑speed chase and reversal of his Volkswagen Passat.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Criminal sentenced to 7.5 years for endangerment of garda and robbery. Charges or matters: endangerment on the Ninth Lock Road, Clondalkin and dangerous driving on Cherry Orchard Avenue, Ballyfermot on April 30, 2015; driving a car without insurance on the same date; two robberies and an attempted robbery on dates between July 30, 2014 and August 9, 2014 at Centra, La Touche Road, Bluebell, Centra in Foxborough in Lucan and Mace on Manor Road, Palmerstown. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

April 30, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
July 30, 2014 Incident
August 9, 2014 Incident
2015-12-15 Publication

Why: He shouted at her to get back into the patrol car because he said he was worried she would be knocked over. CNI source report

Case subjects

Joseph French

Defendant

Charges: endangerment on the Ninth Lock Road, Clondalkin and dangerous driving on Cherry Orchard Avenue, Ballyfermot on April 30, 2015; driving a car without insurance on the same date; two robberies and an attempted robbery on dates between July 30, 2014 and August 9, 2014 at Centra, La Touche Road, Bluebell, Centra in Foxborough in Lucan and Mace on Manor Road, Palmerstown (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Martin Nolan sentenced French to consecutive terms of seven and half years before he suspended the final two years on strict conditions.