Courts / Dublin / Report
Career criminal jailed after threatening to kill woman during car-jacking
Summary
A 45-year-old man with a long criminal record has been jailed for six and a half years for hijacking a car and threatening a woman with violence. Joseph Rafferty, identified by a port-wine birthmark, was sentenced by Judge Orla Crowe after pleading guilty to multiple offences, including stealing a woman's iPhone and dental veneers during the hijacking. He also admitted to robbing a service station and attempting another robbery later that evening. The judge described the incidents as a series of violent crimes by a repeat offender. She noted the terror inflicted on the victim, who was cleaning her car when Rafferty threatened her with death. The woman was forced to jump from the moving vehicle, and her personal items were not recovered. Rafferty, who has 61 previous convictions, including lengthy prison sentences, was also found to have a history of drug addiction and a difficult upbringing. His defence highlighted his remorse and intention to rehabilitate. The judge imposed a seven-and-a-half-year sentence, with the final year suspended.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Career criminal jailed after threatening to kill woman during car-jacking. Charges or matters: telling the woman to get out of her car or he would kill her and unlawfully seizing it on April 26, 2025 at Circle K in Walkinstown; stealing her Apple iPhone and dental veneers on that occasion; a further charge of attempted robbery at the Circle K in Bray on the same evening. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- April 26, 2025 Other
- 2026-02-06 Publication
Why: She explained that he drove forward and crashed, before reversing with her still inside. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: telling the woman to get out of her car or he would kill her and unlawfully seizing it on April 26, 2025 at Circle K in Walkinstown; stealing her Apple iPhone and dental veneers on that occasion; a further charge of attempted robbery at the Circle K in Bray on the same evening (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: By Natasha Reid A 45-year-old criminal who has spent more than half his life in prison has been jailed for a further six and a half years for hijacking a car while the owner was cleaning it. In light of mitigation and his personal circumstances, she imposed a seven-and-a-half year sentence with the final year suspended to incentivise rehabilitation.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
Related court reports
- Pair jailed for preying on innocent shooting victim in 'vicious extortion racket'
- 'Fun loving' drug dealer jailed over possession of €90k in crime cash
- 'I'm doing my job as a mum': court hears exchange between mother and accused son
- Separated husband spared conviction despite alleged threat to throw former wife out window
- Serial criminal set car ablaze after release from Melanie McCarthy-McNamara manslaughter sentence
- Drug dealer further sentenced for 'crudely' laundering own crime cash
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request