Courts / Dublin / Report
'Try not to let me down': judge cuts phone thief's sentence
Summary
A thief who was caught with a mobile phone he could not unlock has had his jail sentence more than halved on appeal. Judge Simon McAleese told Keith Commins (29) that he hoped he would not be proven "naive and overindulgent" in his decision to suspend part of the appellant's sentence. Commins was previously convicted of possessing stolen property, failing to comply with a garda member, and resisting or wilfully obstructing a garda. He received a three-month jail sentence and a one-month consecutive sentence. He later lodged an appeal against the severity of his sentence. Gardai found the phone during a patrol and noted that messages on the phone referred to a work presentation, despite Commins saying it belonged to his unemployed girlfriend. Defence counsel, Lydia Daly BL, said that her client is serving a nine-month sentence for another matter and has secured stable accommodation upon his release. Judge McAleese decided to suspend the three and one month consecutive sentences for a period of two years.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: 'Try not to let me down': judge cuts phone thief's sentence. Procedural stage: appeal. Findings: Convicted
When:
- August 28, 2024 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 7, 2025 Hearing Or Sentence
- June 13 Incident
- 2026-05-01 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Finding: Convicted
Outcome: Convicted; Keith Commins (29) in the District Court Appeals Court today that he hoped he would not be proven "naive and overindulgent" in his decision to suspend part of the appellant's sentence. Ms Daly asked the judge to consider suspending the sentence in order for Commins to link with the probation services.
Places mentioned
- The District Court
- District Court Appeals Court
- Dún Laoghaire District Court
- Grand Canal Street
Topics
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