Robbed phone in Newbridge, County Kildare, and made getaway on train

A young man living in County Westmeath admitted to robbing a young person’s smartphone in Newbridge and making his getaway by train.

Augustine Muntean, with an address listed as 10 Willow Green, Willow Park, Athlone, pleaded guilty to committing the offence on March 23, 2019.

The 20-year-old was seen praying to himself in the stand at Naas District Court on Thursday, February 2, at various points during the court session.

It was heard that Mr Muntean was in custody on other matters.

Defending barrister Mark Gibbons, who was acting under solicitor Cairbre Finan, said that his client was a juvenile at the time of the offence, and handed in a letter of apology to presiding Judge Michéle Finan.

Gardaí told the judge that Mr Muntean and another person asked the person what time it was on the date in question at Station Road in Newbridge.

The co-accused was not present in the courthouse.

When the injured party took out their smartphone, Mr Munteanu pulled their arm in order to obtain their phone.

Once he obtained it, he made his getaway by train.

Gardaí added that the phone was not recovered, and that the injured party was left shaken as a result of the robbery.

It was heard that Mr Muntean had 40 previous convictions, which included thefts and offences for handling stolen property.

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However, Mr Gibbons said that his client has never been convicted for robbery before.

Mr Gibbons told the judge that his client has had 'a difficult time' in prison.

He added: "What he did was wrong, and there has been an impact on the victim, but I would ask you to factor-in his age (at the time of the offence)."

In response, Judge Finan remarked that Mr Muntean committed 'a serious offence.'

She ordered a probation report for Mr Gibbons’ client, which is due for September 7.

Judge Finan also ordered for a victim impact statement to be provided on this date.