Seven years for addict who hijacked woman's car at gunpoint

A drug addict who hijacked a woman's car at gunpoint and refused to allow her take her handbag from it before he drove off, has been given a seven years sentence by Judge Katherine Delahunt.

Thomas Sweeney (aged 35) of Drumcarin Avenue, in Tallaght, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery of a car at Thomas Davis GAA Club on Kiltipper Road on November 26, 2006. His 24 previous convictions included robbery, larceny and possession of drug charges.

His younger brother, Clive (aged 25) of the same address, was given a three years sentence after he pleaded guilty to possession of 14 handgun rounds. When gardai searched his home they also found 17 empty firearm magazines. He had 30 previous convictions.

Judge Delahunt said that it was clear from the victim impact report before the court that the woman had suffered "significant trauma" in the hijacking of her car..

She noted a submission by defence counsel Mr Luigi Rea BL, that Thomas Sweeney had stolen the car while in the "throes of withdrawal" from heroin and had co-operated with the investigation and not resisted arrest.

Judge Delahunt suspended the final 12 months of the seven-year sentence having noted that it wasn't a planned crime and that he had shown genuine remorse.

Mr Garret Baker BL, told Judge Delahunt that Clive Sweeeny was making attempts "to break his cycle of drug use" and had taken full responsibility for his crimes. She suspended the last 12 months of his sentence.

Garda Gavin Ross told prosecution counsel, Mr Garnet Orange BL, that Thomas pointed an imitation handgun at the woman and ordered her out of the vehicle. When she tried to grab her handbag he told her to leave it before getting in and driving away.

Four days later, gardaí searched his home on foot of a confidential tip-off. They found both Sweeney brother's asleep in the back bedroom and when woken they became "aggressive and abusive."

Gda Ross said Gardaí found fourteen 9 mm bullets for a "Glock" handgun as well as 17 empty magazines.

Clive took full responsibility for the ammunition while Thomas was arrested for stealing the car.

Gda Ross told Mr Orange there was no reason to suspect the find was linked to more serious crime.