Jonathan Duffy’s sentence appeal over robbery dismissed

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

Jonathan Duffy’s appeal against the severity of his sentences was dismissed by the Court of Appeal on 25 October 2016. Mr. Justice Birmingham delivered the judgment.

Duffy received seven-year prison sentences for robbery and the unlawful seizure of a vehicle, alongside six-year sentences for possession of an imitation firearm and the attempted unlawful seizure of another vehicle.

All four sentences were concurrent and backdated to 1 September 2013. They were imposed at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 26 May 2014. The robbery occurred at Blackrock post office on 16 April 2013.

Duffy argued that the sentencing judge had lost sight of his continuing desire for reform and rehabilitation, which had been a feature some months earlier. Mr. Justice Birmingham described the offence as very serious, given Duffy’s significant and directly relevant previous record. The court found no error in principle and dismissed the appeal.