More court reports in brief.
Man jailed for 13 years for knife crimes, robberies
A man with convictions over many years involving the use of knives has been sentenced to 13 years in consecutive terms at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. William Higgins left a man with life-threatening injuries when he stabbed him for allegedly kicking his girlfriend on the River Liffey boardwalk during the March 2003 Skyfest fireworks display. Higgins then used a knife when he threatened to kill anyone who came near him while he robbed a video shop in November 2004.
In May 2005 when a "brave but foolhardy" Congolese lay preacher pinned him to the ground, a knife fell out of Higgins's pocket after both came through the window of a post office he had tried to rob.
Higgins (32), Blackhorse Grove, Stoneybatter, pleaded guilty to assault causing serious harm to Mark Duggan on March 15th, 2003; to robbery of the video shop on November 27th, 2004; and to attempted robbery of the post office on Botanic Road, Glasnevin. He had 14 previous convictions.Judge McDonagh imposed eight years for the assault and five years each on the other two charges. He suspended the final two years of the five-year terms.
Rolling Stones concert case adjourned
The High Court has further adjourned a legal challenge by MCD Promotions to an Office of Public Works decision to award the contract for this summer's Rolling Stones concert in Dublin's Phoenix Park to Aiken Promotions Limited. Mr Justice John Quirke adjourned it yesterday for mention again in three weeks time.
MCD has complained that the contract is being awarded to Aiken although MCD's €425,000 bid for a single commercial gig in the park, involving an average ticket price of €90, was worth more than the combined value of the initial bid by Aiken for the right to stage both a commercial and free gig in the park.