A young man who was part of a group involved in the robbery of two UK tourists has been sentenced to three years in prison for his role.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Mohamed Axmed (20), from Castletimon Road, Coolock, Dublin 5, pleaded guilty to robbery on September 17th, 2022.
He has a number of previous convictions, and he is currently serving a sentence. He is due to be released in June 2025.
Passing sentence on Friday, Judge Martin Nolan said Axmed and others manhandled and assaulted two visitors from the UK.
The court heard Axmed took a trial date but pleaded guilty in advance of that date.
Judge Nolan said Axmed has a relevant conviction history, which he must consider.
The judge said letters handed into the court on behalf of the accused make it seem he has “seen the light”. However, Judge Nolan added: “Nobody knows until he is released from prison.”
Judge Nolan said he must extend Axmed's current stay in prison, sentencing him to three years, starting from Friday's date.
“It would be a considerably longer sentence if he were not so young,” the judge said.
Garda Sergeant Kevin Cassidy told John Moher, BL, prosecuting, that Oliver Aldridge and his girlfriend were out in Temple Bar on the night of the incident.
They had £1,050 in their possession, which they intended to change into euro, the court heard.
At approximately 10pm, they were seated on a step in Temple Bar Square when they were approached by four males, one of whom was Axmed.
Gda Sgt Cassidy said Mr Aldridge was pulled to the ground by the head and struck. He also witnessed his girlfriend being dragged away after she had taken possession of his bag.
The court heard that the bag contained the money, two bank cards, passports and a mobile phone, which the group took from Mr Aldridge’s girlfriend.
Two of the men, one of whom was Axmed, ran into Centra in Temple Bar, while the other two males ran away in another direction.
Gardaí came across the two tourists and a passer-by found the injured party's phone and bank cards.
CCTV footage was obtained, and Axmed was identified. He was subsequently arrested and made no admissions during his interview.
The court heard that one of his co-accused has taken a trial date, one has been issued a bench warrant, and the fourth has not yet been located.
Gda Sgt Cassidy agreed with John Berry BL, defending, that his client is the only one who has taken responsibility to date.
The garda agreed with counsel that the guilty plea was of benefit to the gardaí. He further agreed that Axmed was part of a group of young men who were hanging around and getting up to no good.
Mr Berry submitted a letter from the accused and his mother to the court.
Counsel said his client knows he has done wrong, and he realises that he cannot socialise with this group going forward.
