Courts / Dublin / Report

Car-jacking shattered victim's confidence, court hears

Date
2016-02-08

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Tallaght

County
Dublin

Summary

Two men were sentenced to four years imprisonment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court following their guilty pleas to car-jacking. Francis Stokes, aged 29, of Ballyconnell, County Cavan, and Martin Stokes, aged 24, of Celbridge, County Kildare, hijacked a vehicle at Blessington Road, Tallaght, on 10 November 2013. Judge Melanie Greally suspended the final two years of Francis Stokes's sentence and the last three years of Martin Stokes's sentence, having regard to their differing criminal histories. The victim described the incident as life-altering, stating it had severely restricted her confidence and ability to engage in activities she previously enjoyed. The court heard evidence that the complainant had become fearful of driving and was unable to maintain her former independence. The accused had claimed to gardaí that they commandeered the vehicle following an attack by another party, though the victim impact statements presented a substantially different account of events.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Car-jacking shattered victim's confidence, court hears. Charges or matters: hijacking a car at the Blessington Rd, Tallaght on November 10, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

November 10, 2013 Hearing Or Sentence
2016-02-08 Publication

Why: She noted from her victim impact statement that she felt "extremely curtailed" because of fears for her safety. CNI source report

Case subjects

Francis Stokes

Convicted Person

Outcome: Francis Stokes (29) and Kildare man Martin Stokes (24) were sentenced to four years in prison by Judge Melanie Greally today. She suspended the last two years of Francis's sentence and the final three years of Martin's after taking into account the "difference in their criminal background".

Martin Stokes

Convicted Person

Charges: hijacking a car at the Blessington Rd, Tallaght on November 10, 2013 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Martin Stokes (24) were sentenced to four years in prison by Judge Melanie Greally today. She suspended the last two years of Francis's sentence and the final three years of Martin's after taking into account the "difference in their criminal background".