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Robber with 423 previous convictions has sentence reduced on appeal
Summary
Anthony O'Sullivan, 29, of Togher, Cork, had pleaded guilty to robbery and attempted robbery at a shop in Cork City on 13 January 2014. He was originally sentenced by Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin to five years' imprisonment, the final year suspended. On appeal, Judge Garrett Sheehan re‑sentenced him to four years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended. Sheehan noted that O'Sullivan entered the shop with a wheel brace and a scarf covering his face, shouted at the shop assistant for money, and when she refused, seized a purse from a nearby student. The items taken were worth €320. O'Sullivan, who had 423 prior convictions, was 28 at sentencing, lived with his father, was addicted to heroin, and was a father to a young child. The Court of Appeal found problems in the original sentencing process, including a lack of a proper summary of his criminal record and an unsatisfactory assessment of mitigating factors.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Robber with 423 previous convictions has sentence reduced on appeal. Charges or matters: robbery and attempted robbery at a shop in Cork City on January 13, 2014. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- January 13, 2014 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 23, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-04-21 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: robbery and attempted robbery at a shop in Cork City on January 13, 2014 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: O'Sullivan successfully appealed his sentence today and was accordingly re-sentenced to four years imprisonment with the final year suspended. Mr Justice Sheehan, who sat with Mr Justice Alan Mahon and Mr Justice John Edwards, re-sentenced O'Sullivan to four years imprisonment with the final year suspended.
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