A young Dublin man has been jailed for five years in consecutive sentences for a series of knifepoint shop robberies and burglaries to fuel his drug habit. Karl Mullen (19), of Rowlagh Crescent, Tallaght, can neither read nor write, his counsel, Ms Isobel Kennedy, told Judge Kevin Haugh in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Mullen had developed his drug addiction from abusing cannabis at the age of 16 and had progressed to ecstasy and heroin.
Prosecuting counsel Ms Mary Ellen Ring said that Mullen had committed some of the offences while on bail.
A Garda witness gave evidence of Mullen producing a long knife in various shops and demanding money. He was pursued by one shop-owner and held captive until gardai arrived. He also burgled houses hear his family home.
Judge Haugh said that Mullen's series of offences constituted "a course of unacceptable conduct" on dates from February to April this year. He had admitted his crimes to gardai and had confessed also to an offence they were unaware of.
"There is no guarantee that people confronted by drug addicts wielding syringes or knives will not be seriously injured and these crimes must be punished by severe sentences", Judge Haugh said.
The judge added that experience in the court showed that the "stick and carrot" approach worked best. He said that if Mullen was still in custody in two years' time he could apply for a review of his sentence if he wished.