Teenage pitch and putt star jailed for robbery
Seán Doolan, of 31 Greenmount Crescent, Cork, was sentenced to three years yesterday, with the last 18 months suspended.
Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin said at Cork Circuit Criminal Court: “By far and away the largest cohort of cases for years past is robberies from the person. And the victims are always left with sense of being abused, a sense of trauma and frightened in the location of the robbery into the future.”
The judge said that, in fairness to Doolan, he pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and expressed his remorse on the day.
Judge Ó Donnabháin said that, in one case, the person who was accosted on the street handed over €2 to Doolan. The judge said it was clear from that that the injured party was digging deep in his pockets in a desperate effort to get some amount of money to be free of the accused.
Defence barrister Ray Boland said the accused was anxious to get treatment for his addiction to prescription tablets.
Doolan, aged 20, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at St Finbarr’s Place, Cork, and robbery at Sunday’s Well, Cork, near the so-called Shaky Bridge. Both counts relate to the same date — April 9.
Mr Boland said the accused always denied using a weapon. He had a mobile phone partially covered in his hand trying to give the impression that it was an implement.
Neither of the injured parties was physically assaulted in any way during the incidents but they were put in fear of possible assault if they did not co-operate with Doolan.
The judge said it was nevertheless frightening for the injured parties.
Mr Boland said the defendant’s difficulties arose from drugs and from the fact that his best friend was killed in a car accident.
“He has some some form of brain injury. He was not in trouble until the last few years,” Mr Boland said.
“He represented Cork in pitch and putt at 17 or 18.
Judge Ó Donnabháin said: “He could have been a contender.”
Mr Boland BL said: “Yes, Judge, and he could be again.”
