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'Please no, don't do this': criminal who held knife to baby during violent carjacking gets eight years

Summary

Aaron McDermott, 33, was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court for offences committed at Beaumont Hospital on April 7, 2021. The defendant pleaded guilty to the unlawful seizure of a vehicle by force or threat, as well as three counts of making threats to kill or cause serious harm to the driver and two children. Judge Elma Sheahan imposed a sentence of nine years, with the final 12 months suspended on the condition that McDermott engage with The Probation Service for 12 months upon his release. He was also disqualified from driving for two consecutive terms of ten years in relation to dangerous driving and driving without insurance. The court heard that McDermott, who was highly intoxicated, held a knife to an infant and threatened the occupants before driving off at speed, causing a crash that left the victim with a fractured ankle. Judge Sheahan described the dashcam footage as harrowing and noted the severe psychological trauma inflicted on the family, including PTSD and financial distress. While acknowledging McDermott's difficult early life and addiction issues, the judge highlighted his 125 previous convictions and disregard for road traffic laws. McDermott expressed remorse in a letter to the court, stating he was determined to turn over a new leaf.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 'Please no, don't do this': criminal who held knife to baby during violent carjacking gets eight years. Charges or matters: unlawful seizure of a vehicle by force or threat at Beaumont Hospital on April 7, 2021; three counts of making threats to kill or cause serious harm to the driver and to the two children. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• April 7, 2021 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2026-06-24 Publication

Why: Detective Garda Declan Phelan told Jane Horgan-Jones BL, prosecuting, that the victim was at the hospital in order to collect his wife at the end of her shift working there. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Road Traffic Stage Sentence Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report