One of two men who attacked a student on a university campus has received a fully suspended sentence

By Brion Hoban

One of two men who attacked and robbed a first year student on a university campus has received a fully suspended sentence.

Alex Cullen (27) and Alan Giles (30) attacked the student as he was returning from a shop to his on-campus accommodation.

The victim was punched in the face and kicked in the body during the robbery.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that the men stole his phone and several cards, leaving the scene when two further students intervened.

Cullen of Griffith Close, Finglas, and Giles of Glasanaon Road, Finglas both pleaded guilty to robbery at DCU Glasnevin Campus, Glasnevin, on February 9, 2021.

Giles has 28 previous convictions, including convictions for possession of drugs, theft, obstruction and public order offences.

Cullen has no previous convictions.

Passing sentence today, Judge Melanie Greally said that during the robbery the victim was assaulted in what can only be described as “a highly vicious and violent manner”.

The judge said this appears to have been a drug fuelled incident.

She noted in mitigation that Cullen has taken steps to address his risk factors, including attending at addiction services.

She said this offence would normally attract a custodial sentence, but in Cullen’s “very particular circumstances” it could be dealt with without his immediate incarceration.

Judge Greally sentenced Cullen to five years imprisonment, but suspended the sentence in its entirety on strict conditions, including that he follow all directions of the Probation Service for one year.

She remanded Giles on continuing bail and adjourned his case for finalisation to July 1, next.

The judge had previously ordered that both men hand over €1,000 in compensation for onwards transmission to the victim.

At a previous sentencing hearing, Garda Elaine Dodd told Katherine McGillicuddy BL, prosecuting, that on the evening in question, the victim noticed the two men leaving a shop near the university campus as he was entering.

Gda Dodd said that on his way back to his on-campus accommodation, the victim again passed by the two men.

They then came up behind the victim, grabbed him and dragged him onto the ground.

The victim was punched in the face and forehead, while also sustaining numerous kicks to the body and legs.

His injuries included two black eyes, a swollen cheek bone and scrapes to the side of his face.

Gda Dodd said Giles “did most of the damage”, while Cullen was “standing off a bit” and restraining the victim, who could not shout for help as a hand was placed over his mouth.

The men stole the victim’s phone, the case for which contained various cards.

Two students approached after witnessing the robbery from their accommodation and the incident de-escalated.

The two men “casually” walked  away from the scene to a nearby park, the garda said.

The two students brought the victim to the campus reception and gardaí were contacted.

Utilising an app to find iPhones, gardaí were able locate the men and arrest them.

CCTV footage obtained from the shop showed both of the two men stealing alcohol prior to the robbery, while Cullen also caused damage by knocking over a display.

The court heard the victim returned to Donegal after the incident, but has since returned to DCU and has physically recovered.

All of his stolen property was recovered either from the two accused upon their arrest or in park near the incident.

Gda Dodd agreed with Donncha Craddock BL, defending Cullen, that his client identified himself on CCTV footage and said his intentions had not been to rob someone.

The garda agreed with counsel that his client said he was “deeply sorry” for the harm he caused to the victim and he was glad he had gotten his belongings back.

Mr Craddock said his client has difficulties with addiction, including difficulties with alcohol and cocaine.

He said his client has been attending addiction services to address these issues.

Counsel said his client has abided by his bail conditions and not come to negative garda attention.

He said his client is now in employment and has become a father.

Gda Dodd agreed with Oisin Clarke BL, defending Giles, that his client was “quite intoxicated” at the time of his arrest.

She agreed Giles told gardaí he had taken a lot of sleeping tablets as well as drinking alcohol.

The garda agreed with counsel that his client said he did not remember going into the shop and he wanted to apologise if he had committed the robbery.

She agreed Giles had been ejected from the family home at the time, but is currently residing there again.

Mr Clarke said that following the offence, his client went into custody and got his life back together.

He said his client is now clean of drugs and is working as a forklift driver.

Counsel said his client does not have a violent past and the offences seems to be “quite an escalation” from anything he has done before.

He asked the court to give him a chance to see how he can maintain a lifestyle that involves being a productive member of society.