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Sentence cut for attempted cash van robbery
Summary
A man's sentence for attempted robbery of a cash-in-transit van has been reduced by the Court of Appeal. Joseph Warren, aged 32, was convicted by jury at Dublin Circuit Court in 2012 of conspiracy to steal cash from a Chubb Ireland van at a Cellbridge supermarket in November 2007. He had also pleaded guilty to possessing ammunition. The original sentence was 14 years with the final three suspended. On appeal, Mr Justice Alan Mahon found the sentencing judge had erred in principle by not adequately reflecting Warren's limited role in the attempted robbery. The court heard that Warren's involvement related primarily to his skill with cutting equipment rather than planning or leadership. Considering prison reports describing him as a model prisoner with strong rehabilitation prospects and family support, the court reduced his sentence to six-and-a-half years for the conspiracy conviction, with his other sentence remaining consecutive. Joseph Warren pleaded not guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Sentence cut for attempted cash van robbery. Charges or matters: conspiring to steal cash from Chubb Ireland at Tesco supermarket on the Shackleton Road in Cellbridge on November 2, 2007; possessing ammunition at Poppintree Park, Ballymun on July 19, 2009. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- November 2, 2007 Incident
- July 19, 2009 Incident
- November 14, 2012 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2016-07-25 Publication
Why: Warren's barrister, Michael Bowman SC, submitted that eight years was disproportionally high because his client's involvement in the attempted robbery was essentially due to his skill in operating cutting equipment. CNI source report
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: conspiring to steal cash from Chubb Ireland at Tesco supermarket on the Shackleton Road in Cellbridge on November 2, 2007; possessing ammunition at Poppintree Park, Ballymun on July 19, 2009 (Alleged Or Contested)
Plea: Not guilty
Outcome: Giving judgment on Warren's appeal against sentence today, Mr Justice Alan Mahon said gardaí thwarted the attempt to steal from a cash-in-transit van. Mr Justice Mahon said the appropriate headline sentence based on Warren's involvement should have been seven years rather than eight.
Places mentioned
- Belclare Crescent
- Ballymun
- Shackleton Road
- Poppintree Park
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
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