Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
A MOTHER-OF-FIVE whose accomplice in a robbery pierced the skin of a taxi driver with a syringe has been sentenced to three years in jail, with the final six months suspended.
Amanda Daly (36) was caught after she dropped her purse containing a social welfare receipt near the scene of the robbery.
Daly, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery of €700 from the taxi driver at Summer Street South on 15 April, 2015.
Daly, who grew up in Tullamore, Co Offaly, has 42 previous convictions, mainly for public order offences.
Her co-accused Jason Hynes (43) of Neilstown Park, Clondalkin, Dublin, received a four-and-a-half year sentence earlier this year for his role.
Sentencing Daly today, Judge Melanie Greally noted she had an unfortunate background “characterised by severe drug addiction”. Daly had a “tragic life” as a consequence of this addiction, she said.
The judge previously agreed to allow Daly out on bail to attend drug treatment, but Daly was unable to complete the residential programme and was returned to custody.
The judge noted Daly played an “active and fulsome role” in the offence, which included attempting to tie the taxi driver’s hands to his steering wheel. He was left “very frightened” by the incident, she said.
Detective Sergeant Mark Kelly previously told Gareth McCormack BL, prosecuting, that the taxi driver had brought the pair to Summer Street South where he was instructed to stop by Hynes.
The taxi driver said Hynes, who was in the back seat, put his arm around his neck and then put the syringe into his neck. He told the taxi driver: “I have HIV, give me money.”
Hynes instructed Daly to take the taxi driver’s wallet and she then searched the front of the car for a second wallet containing his float. The taxi driver had asked her not to take his wallet or phone as he needed them for work. She also took his car keys.
Daly attempted to tie the taxi drivers hands to the steering wheel with a phone charger but was unsuccessful. The pair left but the taxi driver caught up with then and got his keys back, at which stage Daly dropped her purse on the ground.
A neighbour attempted to come to the taxi driver’s aid but Hynes waved the syringe at them and the pair made their escape.
Gardai found Daly’s purse and were able to track her through a social welfare receipt with her name on it. She was arrested and made admissions but alluded to the fact she was under duress.
Det Sgt Kelly agreed with Dean Kelly BL, defending, that Daly was a person who had a background of serious and chaotic drug use. He said she was a willing participant but agreed that she would not have embarked on a syringe robbery alone.
Daly has no previous convictions for robbery or burglary.
Counsel said Daly grew up in Tullamore but her parents died when she was a teenager, leaving her with little family support. She had her first child quite young and moved to Dublin for a fresh start but this went catastrophically sour.
He said she was sleeping on the streets or in homeless hostels.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Again The Journal feel it of utmost importance that the reproductive success of the guilty party is given priority. “Mother of 5″ is how this charming woman is described in the opening sentence. I feel sorry for each of the 5, but isn’t that the point?
The Journal can’t possibly be sexist. They only report sexism because they are better than thou
Nobody is interested in the report of this heartless drug addict.im not anyway.That poor Taxi driver will never be right after that experience. Again if this was New York she’d be looking at life in prison. What a viscous horrible thing to do to someone dropping you home eh?
@Gerry Fallon:
The Irish judiciary place little value on the lives of ordinary citizens.
She should be cut off from further welfare supports until she completes an extended stay in a rehab facility.
We as a state have become enablers.
You can’t demand state supports while violating the human rights of those who pay for your supports.
Well said!
charming lady
Lady?
Oh God imagine being the parent of that dirty animal .
Her parents are dead. Says it right there in the article.
Who said it didn’t
Honest to God question, why can we not build a 21st century prison in Thornton hall, our great leaders are issuing government bonds and taking in billions, build Thornton hall bigger than it needs to be to allow for expansion, and sell Mountjoy and that prison up near stoneybatter I forget what it’s called, and lock these habitual wasters away for a long time, if I was offered a job as a garda I’d break my arse laughing as I put down the phone, they get no support and it must be like groundhog day dealing with the same wasters over and over, has o connell st / Talbot st basically been declared an open prison but no one told us
dublin is a kip
Aah haha what a fu#king idiot!
you have to feel for here though having said that. chronic heroin use leads to very desperate situations
No, I feel for her children who have a mother that cares more for feeding her habit than looking after them. And I feel for the taxi man who had to go through that- having his honest money stolen by filth like this. But do I feel for her? Not a bit.
Sorry, but that apologist attitude just enables them – they’ll always be able to pull the ‘dysfunctional background card’. They need to own up and take responsibility for their actions.
Heroin use is a choice. You choose to inject in the first place…addiction is a direct and known consequence of that choice. If you choose to do an illegal drug and subsequently become addicted, you can’t blame the drug or the addiction for your actions. You alone are responsible for the consequences of your life choices.
Having your parents die when you’re so young leads to very desperate situations too I’d say and on top of that,moving to Dublin to make a new start when you’re an addict ! bad move.
Get a grip “lukey”. Feel for her? Are you serious? She’s a ruthless thug.norhing else ok.
@Lukey: Blame everybody and anybody ….except the person who committed the crime.
“You alone are responsible for the consequences of your life choices.”
That’s what I say to people involve in car accidents. Driving a car is one of the most dangerous things you can do in this country, now you’ve crashed and you’re severely injured and you expect a bloody ambulance? And treatment in a hospital? Well tough luck, you made your choices. I can’t believe the health service spends time and money on those wasters.
Jay k: that’s ridiculous and in no way comparable.
Yes she may have had a difficult start in life.
She may be an addict and need help.
She failed to complete her state-funded time in rehab.
She chose to have 5 children, none of which it seems she is able to support either emotionally or financially.
She robbed and attacked a tax paying hard working man.
She is in receipt of social welfare which is paid for by taxpayers.
You liberals think that us law abiding citizens should forfeit our right to live in a law abiding and safe community to continue enabling such disgraceful behaviour at any cost.
@jayK ur missing the point . Nobody cares what you say because your an absolute f@ck whit
@Missyb211: I know alot of ppl who lost there parents at a young age some who reared there siblings and they didn’t turn out like her it’s just an excuse for wat the lowlife dirty tramp done god help her kids
Good old Melanie Greally. Kindness personified…….to the perpetrators
Did he inject him with the syringe?
for once an appropriate sentence
have your say