Lee McDonnell's robbery sentence appeal set for May

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

Counsel for both sides agreed that the Court of Appeal could hear the challenge to Lee McDonnell’s three-year robbery jail term on 15 May. The Director of Public Prosecutions had appealed on the grounds that the sentence was unduly lenient.

Judge Martin Nolan had imposed a six-year sentence on McDonnell at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 19 November 2012, suspending the final three years.

The offences took place on 21 January 2012 at Sarsfield Service Station in Ballyfermot. McDonnell pleaded guilty to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to commit robbery. He also admitted robbing cigarettes and a sunglass case, and robbing the shop assistant during the same incident.

The appeal had previously been scheduled for a December hearing before three Court of Appeal judges. At that listing, the court was told McDonnell was absent and could not be produced because of circumstances outside anyone’s control. The report said the court received no explanation for his absence.

The proceedings were reported on 26 January 2015.