Courts / Dublin / Report
Would-be hijacker put knife to taxi driver's neck
Summary
Sean Ducque, aged 32 and without a fixed abode, was sentenced by Judge Patricia Ryan to five years in prison for an attempted car‑jacking on 26 March 2013 at Terrace Place, Dublin, and for producing a knife during the attack. The victim, taxi driver Noel Fairman, recounted that he felt his life flash before him and feared death, heart rupture, or throat injury while Ducque held a knife to his neck. Fairman resisted, managed to open the car door, and escaped. Ducque repeatedly demanded the car keys and the knife, refusing to release them. The court noted Fairman's prior heart surgeries and stent implants. Judge Ryan imposed an eight‑year sentence, suspending the last three years on the condition that Ducque engage in addiction programmes run by the Probation Services. The case highlighted Ducque's 39 prior convictions, including robbery, burglary, drug dealing, and theft, and his history of drug addiction and homelessness. Sean Ducque pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Would-be hijacker put knife to taxi driver's neck. Charges or matters: the attempted unlawful seizure of a car on March 26, 2013 at Terrace Place, Dublin and to producing a knife during the attack; the car-jacking offence last November. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- March 26, 2013 Incident
- April 5, 2013 Incident
- 2016-05-05 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: the attempted unlawful seizure of a car on March 26, 2013 at Terrace Place, Dublin and to producing a knife during the attack; the car-jacking offence last November (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Ryan imposed an eight year sentence but suspended the last three years for three years on condition that he engage with the any addiction programmes run by the Probation Services. Last December Judge Ryan imposed a five year sentence with two suspended on Ducque after he admitted carrying out a robbery on Greenville Street, Dublin on April 5, 2013.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Terrace Place
- Greenville Street
- Dublin
Topics
Burglary Drugs Stage Sentence Theft
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