Reformed drug addict apologises to robbery victims in court

A Dublin man who robbed a Ballyjamesduff chemist of an assortment of drugs and medicines back in 2005 was given a two-year suspended prison sentence by Judge John O'Hagan at Cavan Circuit Court. Imposing the suspended sentence on David Martin, (42) with addresses at 17, Finnebar Fort, Finglas, Dublin and 29 Kippure Park, Finglas, Dublin; Judge O'Hagan took into account the defendant's determined struggle to overcome his drug addiction and his undertaking of other educational courses to reform his life. Martin was charged that on May 10, 2005, at Gormley's Chemist, Main Street, Ballyjamesduff, he robbed Maura Gormley of an assortment of medicines and drugs to the value of €625.76. He was further charged with dangerous driving at Carnaross on the same date. Monica Lalor, instructed by Rory Hayden, State Solicitor, represented the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), while Iseult O'Malley, SC and Marie O'Reilly, instructed by A.B. O'Reilly Dolan & Co. acted for the defendant. Ms. Lalor informed the court that the charges against the defendant came before the judge at Cavan Circuit Court on December 2, 2008 and were adjourned for the compilation of reports including a report by the Probation Service. Referring to the facts of the case, Judge O'Hagan said that the defendant was involved in a very serious incident with another person who had already been dealt with by the court. Both the defendant and his accomplice went into a chemist shop and threatened the proprietor who wasn't a young person, together with the shop assistant before making off with drugs valued at €1,600. Mrs. Gormley who was aged 72 was traumatised by this event, said the judge. Continuing, Judge O'Hagan referred to the defendant's considerable record of previous convictions stating that he served a term of imprisonment in the early 1990s for assault causing bodily harm. When the defendant last came before him, he was asked to give him a chance, that Mr. Martin had entered into a rehabilitation programme and strove successfully to overcome his drugs habit. The defendant had engaged in literacy courses and other courses to better himself and the court was informed that progress was good. It was sought at the time to expand this further so that the Probation Service could enter into an engagement with him. Addressing the defendant, Judge O'Hagan acknowledged that drug addiction was a difficult habit to overcome and he congratulated him on his efforts. However, the judge said that he had to impose a prison sentence in the case, although he proposed suspending it. Bearing in mind the defendant's previous convictions, Judge O'Hagan considered it fair to impose a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years with Martin required to enter into a bond of €500. Afterwards, the defendant told the court that he was deeply sorry for what happened. He apologised to the victims, to the gardaí and thanked those who helped him overcome his drugs habit. Judge: The biggest thank you that you can give is not to appear in court again. In respect of the charge of dangerous driving against the defendant, Judge O'Hagan sentenced him to six months in prison suspended and disqualified him from driving for two years. At the defendant's request, the commencement date of the disqualification was postponed until February 1, 2010.