Serial offender jailed for 26 months over Carlow park muggings
A serial offender who was described in court as bringing “much suffering” to his community has been jailed for 26 months for a mugging and two attempted muggings in Carlow town.
Joe Curtin (29) of Riverview Close, Tullow Road, pleaded guilty at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court to robbery and two attempted robberies in Hanover Park, Carlow Town on April 1, 2025. He has 75 previous convictions.
The court heard that the muggings all occurred within ten minutes of each other in Hanover Park at 8.30pm.
The first victim was punched in the face and his phone, bag, wallet and watch were demanded from him. When he fell to the ground from the initial attack, Curtin climbed on top of the man and took the watch off his wrist.
A young man who was out walking his dog was also stopped by Curtin ten minutes later. He demanded the dog, phone and wallet from the victim. The victim refused and Curtin became aggressive and kicked him.
A third man came upon this attempted mugging and came to the victim’s assistance. Curtin tried to grab his phone from him but the two managed to escape and ran off in the direction of Pennys nearby.
The gardaí were alerted and a number of units attended at the park. Curtin was still in the park and he was immediately identified as a suspect and arrested.
In sentencing Curtin today/yesterday (Friday), who appeared in court over video-link, Judge Mary Morrissey said the law allows for a maximum penalty of life imprisonment for a person who is convicted of robbery.
She said the court must also consider the moral culpability of Curtin in the commission of the offence together with the impact on his victims, his previous convictions and his attitude towards his offending.
The judge said that in sentencing a person the court must consider protection of the public, punishment, deterrence, restitution and rehabilitation while also paying attention to any remorse demonstrated.
Judge Morrissey said that Curtin’s moral culpability in the attacks was high as the offending was premeditated – “he entered the park, sought out the victims and used violence”, the judge said.
“It was clear that the offending had an impact on the victims,” Judge Morrissey said adding “there is no doubt harm was occasioned to the victims and their families as a result of the offending”.
She set headline concurrent sentences of 54 months, 51 and 48 months on each of the charges before the court.
Judge Morrissey said in mitigation Curtin pleaded guilty at an early stage which saved the victims having to give evidence at trial and saved the State the cost of running a lengthy trial.
She further acknowledged that Curtin had co-operated with the gardaí, had shown remorse, had family support and had demonstrated insight into his offending.
Judge Morrissey imposed concurrent sentences of 38 months, 36 months and 34 months.
She said that a report from the Probation Service indicated that there are concerns that when released from prison Curtin may relapse into drug addiction which would lead to him committing further crimes.
She said the report indicated that previously when Curtin was released from prison “a cycle of instability has been evident while under previous periods of supervision and has led to re-offending”.
Judge Morrissey acknowledged that Curtin has expressed a motivation to get off drugs because he has “a desire to repair relationships with his parents and younger sibling”. She noted that Curtin has begun working with an addiction counsellor while in custody.
She said if Curtin is placed under the supervision of the Probation Service with close monitoring his risk will be significantly reduced – “without such intervention the cycle of addiction and re-offending will continue”, Judge Morrissey said.
Judge Morrissey said it is critical to his rehabilitation that Curtin get support around his mental health and his addiction.
She suspended the final 12 months of the 38 month sentence on strict conditions for two years.
Judge Morrissey said “given his willingness to build on the work commenced on his rehabilitation in prison” she would suspend those 12 months – “to facilitate a structured environment of support and guidance to assist him in finally breaking his cycle of addiction and offending”.
Judge Morrissey wished Curtin “the very best of luck”.
ADDITIONAL EVIDENCE FROM PREVIOUS HEARING
Detective Garda Kieran Shields told Brian O’Shea Bl prosecuting that there were no victim impact statements in the case but he spoke to the men on the phone. He said the third victim told him “I hope he gets the help he needs”.
Tom Kelly BL, defending, submitted to the court that his client’s addiction to alcohol and drugs and the fact that he does not take his prescribed medication for his mental illness has been “central” to his offending.
He said his client has “expressed his regret to have spent so much time in custody which has led to him missing so much time with his loved ones.”
Curtin, who appeared via video-link, told the court that he was free of drugs for the last seven weeks. “I will never go back to them,” he said.
Mr Kelly said Curtin must show the court, when he is ultimately released, what he is willing to do in terms of his recovery.
“He needs to break this cycle which has caused so much suffering to him, his family and the community,” Mr Kelly said adding that Curtin acknowledges this himself.
Det Gda Shields said as soon as Curtin was placed in the patrol car he admitted he had the victim’s watch and handed it to gardaí. He was taken in for questioning but deemed unfit for interview due to his level of intoxication.
The detective acknowledged that Curtin has both a heroin and crack cocaine addiction. He is also medicated for a number of mental health illness. He was intoxicated on the day in question and had not taken his prescribed medications.
Det Gda Shields said that he has known Curtin for a number of years and he has serious issues with drugs. “He is the most placid person once there are no drugs involved,” he said.
While acknowledging that they were “serious offences” before the court – Det Gda Shields said “it is help that he needs – it would be of serious benefit to him”.
He agreed with Mr O’Shea that it would also benefit the community should Curtin rehabilitate.
“Absolutely,” replied Det Gda Shields.
Det Gda Shields agreed with Mr Kelly that one of the victim’s took a relatively “benevolent approach” to the case and showed sympathy towards Curtin.
He accepted that Curtin’s failure to take his medication and his addictions to alcohol and drugs were “central” to his offending.
Mr Kelly said his client is finding his time in custody particularly difficult and has been assaulted there.
Mr Kelly asked the court to consider both a probation report and psychological report before the court. He said both reports conclude that Curtin needs “very structured programmes of engagement with consequences if he fails to participate and engage”.
He said Curtin has “expressed motivation” to remain drug free but added that it is also something “he must demonstrate”.
Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
