A judge has criticised the repeated release from custody of a chronic heroin addict who persistently reoffended.
Judge Patrick McCartan was speaking in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court at the sentencing of Ronald Boland (27), of Glenshane Crescent, Tallaght, who pleaded guilty to the robbery of £1,250 in cash from Mr Colm Reed at Cookstown industrial estate and to taking Mr Reed's car and producing a knife on May 26th, 2000.
The court heard that Boland committed six robberies between May 2000 and January 2001. He was arrested for each offence, but was released either by the gardaí or by the courts.
Judge McCartan sentenced Boland to 10 years for false imprisonment of a taxi-driver and eight years for robbing him, eight years for the robbery of Mr Reed and the robbery of a jewellery store, and seven years for the burglary of Mr Murray, all to run concurrently.
Det Garda John Stack told prosecuting counsel Ms Martina Baxter that Boland, using the name "Pat", contacted Mr Reed, who had placed some advertisements in Buy and Sell, and agreed to meet him at a café in The Square, Tallaght. Mr Reed was subsequently accompanied by "Pat" to a container lorry in Cookstown industrial estate. Another man stepped from behind the lorry with an imitation shotgun and "Pat" produced a knife. They took £1,250 from Mr Reed, tied his hands together and put him in the container. They then took Mr Reed's car and escaped.
Judge McCartan said that Boland was questioned at a Garda station after the robbery of Mr Reed. He had made a full statement and was released without charge. A file was sent to the DPP.
The second incident occurred on June 1st, 2000, when Boland stole a handbag. He was caught by security personnel, made a full statement to gardaí and was again released on bail. The next offence was on September 1st, 2000, when Boland robbed a jewellery store at Old Bawn, Tallaght, of £2,000.
On October 18th 2000, Boland attempted to burgle the home of Mr Kevin Murray, of Newcastle Farm, Athgoe Road, Newcastle, and the two men became involved in a struggle. Boland was pursued by Mr Murray's daughter. He was arrested at a B&B when the proprietors called gardaí after they found a firearm in his room. He was arrested, taken to court, charged and released on bail.
In January 2001, Boland was involved in a robbery at a supermarket in Fortunestown Lane, Tallaght. A shop assistant was hospitalised after he was beaten over the head. In the same month, Boland was also involved in the false imprisonment of a taxi-driver.