John Stokes jailed for crossbow threats, handbag robbery and theft

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

John Stokes was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court by Judge Melanie Greally to five and a half years in prison, with the final 18 months suspended on condition that he engage with the Probation Service for two years after release. The proceedings were reported on 23 February 2016.

He pleaded guilty to production of a crossbow while threatening to kill Mary Kate McDonagh, robbing a handbag and stealing another handbag. The crossbow offence occurred at Pearse House, Pearse Street, Dublin, on 28 December 2014. The robbery occurred at Clyde Court, Ballsbridge, on 24 January 2015, and the theft at Baggot Street Lower on 19 February 2015.

The report said Stokes pushed an arrow through a letterbox, held onto it and threatened to “stick you to the wall”. Detective Garda Anthony Gilleran said that after his arrest Stokes said his life was under threat and he feared being shot. The court heard he was using cocaine and tablets. A victim impact report said he and Ms McDonagh had since “made their peace”.

Garda Patrick O’Brien said Stokes knocked Deirdre Walsh to the ground and robbed her phone and handbag. She suffered a black eye and bruising to her face. Stokes made admissions and told gardaí it would not have happened without drugs. The elderly theft victim’s handbag and its contents were returned.

Stokes had 48 previous convictions. The judge accepted his alcohol and drug abuse, difficult childhood, limited education and lack of structure. She acknowledged his involvement in a local community project and efforts to leave negative peers behind. A probation report assessed him as at moderate risk of reoffending.