Man sentenced to three years in prison for robbing UK tourists in Temple Bar

By Claire Henry

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 17, 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 this young man and others manhandled and assaulted two visitors from the United Kingdom. The court heard Axmed took a trial date but pleaded guilty in advance of this.

Judge Nolan said Axmed has a relevant conviction history, which he must consider.

The judge said that from the letters handed into the court, “It seems this young man has seen the light, but nobody knows until he is released from prison”.

Judge Nolan said he must extend Axmed’s current stay in prison. He sentenced him to three years, starting from today’s/yesterday’s (FRIDAY) 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 in question. They had £1,050 Sterling in their possession, which they intended to change into Euro. 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 Sterling, two bank cards, passports and a mobile phone, which the group took from the injured party’s girlfriend.

The court heard two of the men ran into Centra in Temple Bar, one of whom was the accused. 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 was obtained, and Axmed was identified. He was arrested and made no admissions during his interview.

The court heard that one of the 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 handed a letter from the accused and his mother into the court.

Counsel said his client knows he has done wrong, and he realises that he can’t socialise with this peer group going forward.