Courts / Dublin / Report

Heroin addict who robbed heavily pregnant woman is jailed

Date
2016-02-11

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Ian Gibbons, 40, of Kilmainham Bank, Emmet Road, Inchicore, Dublin, pleaded guilty to robbery of a purse and mobile phone from a heavily pregnant woman on 2 July 2015 in Blackpitts, Dublin 8. He snatched the bag, causing the woman, 35 and a half weeks pregnant, to fall but she sustained no injuries. Gibbons, who had 25 prior convictions and had been drug‑free for seven years, was chased and restrained by members of the public before Gardaí arrived. He attempted to escape, once running into a tree. He denied targeting the woman because of her pregnancy and said he needed money for heroin. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to five years, with the final 18 months suspended on conditions, noting his attempts to combat addiction since the offence. The stolen items were recovered and the victim was taken to hospital without injury.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Heroin addict who robbed heavily pregnant woman is jailed. Charges or matters: robbery of a purse and mobile phone at Blackpitts, Dublin 8 on July 2, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

July 2, 2015 Hearing Or Sentence
2016-02-11 Publication

Why: Gibbons told gardaí he needed the money for drugs and denied he had deliberately targeted the woman because she was pregnant. CNI source report