By Fiona Ferguson
A thief who threatened to shoot a taxi driver unless he handed over his takings on Christmas Eve has been jailed for an offence a judge said had a “particular meanness” to it.
David Delaney (26), of Berryfield Drive, Finglas, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to theft arising from the incident in the early hours of December 24, 2023.
He has 13 previous convictions and is currently serving two years’ imprisonment for robbery. He was on bail at the time of this theft, and this sentence will be consecutive to his current term.
Passing sentence, Judge Orla Crowe noted the taxi driver had been badly impacted by the offence, suffering from anxiety and stress, and had stopped working nights.
She remarked the offence had a “particular meanness” to it, targeting a “blameless person earning their livelihood on Christmas Eve.” She said Delaney may not recall the offence, due to intoxication, but the injured party remembers it to this day.
Judge Crowe noted his difficult background, that he has acknowledged the impact of his behaviour on his family and that he hoped to get a job on release.
The judge set a headline sentence of three years, and taking into account mitigation, imposed a sentence of two years with the final six months suspended,
An investigating garda told Fiona Pekar BL, prosecuting, that the taxi driver picked up Delaney and a woman in the early hours of Christmas Eve and drove them to various locations, before stopping in Ballymun, where the woman got out of the car.
Delaney demanded the taxi driver’s takings, telling him: “Give me the 90 euros or I will shoot you.”
Delaney, who was wearing paint-splattered clothes, also took the man’s dash cam.
He was later spotted by gardai wearing ill-fitting clothing that were much too big for him, and the paint-splattered clothing was subsequently recovered during a search of his home.
Patrick McCarthy BL, defending, said his client had witnessed a traumatic event as a child and self-medicated with substances in relation to flashbacks because of what he had seen. He said he is now doing well in custody and taking advantage of the services available to him.
He said Delaney’s family is supportive of him, and he wants to find employment on his release.
Mr McCarthy said his client has no memory of the events, as he was intoxicated. He submitted his plea shows acceptance of what he did and he is instructed that Delaney is embarrassed by his behaviour. He said Delaney is taking the need to deal with his addiction seriously.