Courts / Dublin / Report
Criminal jailed for for robbery of 'irreplaceable family heirloom'
Summary
A man who told gardai he was under pressure to pay a debt when he robbed a watch, described as an 'irreplaceable family heirloom', has been jailed for three years. John Byrne pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery on Lord Edward Street, Dublin 2 on September 4, 2023. The injured party had been socialising and was approached from behind by Byrne, who grabbed his wrist. There was a scuffle, during which the injured party was pushed onto the road. Byrne managed to take the victim's watch during the struggle and ran off down Lord Edward Street. The watch was worth about €300, but was a family heirloom and of sentimental value. Byrne was identified from CCTV and his home searched later the following month. After caution, he told gardai the watch was gone and he was under pressure as he owed money. The court was told that Byrne is known to gardai as someone with addiction issues and a history of homelessness.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Criminal jailed for for robbery of 'irreplaceable family heirloom'. Charges or matters: robbery on Lord Edward Street, Dublin 2 on September 4, 2023. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 4, 2023 Incident
- 2026-01-20 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: robbery on Lord Edward Street, Dublin 2 on September 4, 2023 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She said the court had to impose a custodial sentence, which would include a structure for Byrne's release from custody. Having considered the mitigation and Byrne's personal circumstances, she imposed a four-year sentence backdated to when he went into custody.
Places mentioned
- Hogan Place
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Lord Edward Street
Topics
Related court reports
- Man charged with having 56k child abuse images and videos remanded on bail
- Ex-Dáil hopeful's allegations against former employer 'complete fantasy', WRC told
- Mater must pay €10k to worker who said he was wrongly accused of abusing patient
- 'I think we know I won't be getting bail' - Daniel Kinahan charged with directing criminal organisation
- Letting agent who claimed alleged domestic violence victim abandoned tenancy by fleeing to refuge must pay €14.7k
- 77-year-old with 470 convictions told Luas staff to 'f**k off'
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request