Courts / Dublin / Report
Jail for drug addict who twice punched solicitor in the face
Summary
Aaron Carey, 28, was sentenced to two years in prison at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court after pleading guilty to assaulting district court solicitor Aine Ni Riain, causing her harm. The attacks occurred on January 24, 2015, at Benburb Street and Wolfe Tone Quay. Prosecution evidence indicated that Carey punched Ms Ni Riain in the face after taking her phone, and struck her again when she pursued him to the quays, bursting her top lip. Garda Brian Graydon testified that Carey was later identified on CCTV and arrested days later. The court noted that Carey had previously been fined €200 in the district court for handling the stolen phone, which was subsequently returned to the victim. Carey, a father of two with 45 previous convictions, was residing at Judge Darley's Hostel at the time of the offence. Defence counsel Luigi Rea BL submitted that Carey regretted his actions and had completed educational courses and a charity run while in prison, attributing the crime to his drug addiction. Judge Martin Nolan acknowledged Carey's ambition to be a good father but imposed the two-year custodial sentence. The matter was finalised with this sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail for drug addict who twice punched solicitor in the face. Charges or matters: assaulting Ms Ni Riain causing her harm at Benburb Street and at Wolfe Tone Quay on January 24, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 24, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2015-12-14 Publication
Why: The garda agreed with Luigi Rea BL, defending, that Carey had been living on the streets and in hostels at the time because of his drug addiction. Defence account reported by CNI
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: assaulting Ms Ni Riain causing her harm at Benburb Street and at Wolfe Tone Quay on January 24, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He said Carey had since been fined €200 in the district court for handling Ms Ni Riain's stolen phone, which was returned to her. He acknowledged that Carey's ambition was to be a good father and imposed a two year sentence.
Places mentioned
- Parkgate Street
- Benburb Street
- Moore Street
- Croppies Acre park
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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