A man described by his lawyer as "Dublin's politest bank robber", who took nearly €50,000 from various banks over a six-month period when he was addicted to crack cocaine, has had his four-year sentence increased to eight by the Court of Criminal Appeal.
John O'Hegarty (33), of Waterloo Road, Ballsbridge, has a diploma in journalism, a degree in philosophy and a master's degree in psychoanalytic studies from Trinity College Dublin.
He claimed he became addicted to crack cocaine after a man he knocked down while cycling died.
Last December O'Hegarty was sentenced to two years' imprisonment on charges related to 14 robberies.
He received a further two years for two robberies committed while he was on bail in relation to the 14 other robberies. This made a total sentence of four years, of which 18 months was suspended.
The DPP yesterday applied to the appeal court to review the sentence imposed on O'Hegarty on the grounds that it was unduly lenient.
After hearing both sides, Ms Justice Fidelma Macken, presiding over the three-judge appeal court, said the sentence was "not simply lenient but unduly lenient".
She said the appeal court regarded the offences as extremely serious.
A significant feature of the robberies was O'Hegarty's use of an imitation firearm, and "inherent in the offences was a serious threat," she said.