Kildare court: Victim impact statement says injured party was emotionally traumatised by phone robbery incident

A person whose phone was stolen by a stranger was emotionally traumatised by the incident, Naas District Court was told on Thursday, September 7.

Augustine Muntean, with an address given as 10 Willow Green, Willow Park, Athlone, County Westmeath, but is currently serving a custodial sentence for other matters, appeared before Judge Desmond Zaidan on the date in question.

The court was told by Garda Sergeant Brian Jacob that the 21-year-old committed the offence alongside an unidentified co-accused at Station Road in Newbridge on March 23, 2019.

Mr Muntean, who appeared via video-link, pleaded guilty to the offence.

A victim impact statement was read out by Judge Desmond Zaidan, in which he noted that the victim is now scared to walk home alone or go on public transport.

The injured party added that they already struggled with their mental health, had re-entered therapy as a result of the incident, in addition to going back on medication to ease their stress.

Defending solicitor Cairbre Finan admitted to the judge that the statement 'is not pleasant reading.'

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His client handed in a letter of apology to the court, and apologised to the judge for his actions. Mr Muntean added that he was 'being bullied all the time' in prison.

A probation report was also handed in to the court.

Mr Finan told Judge Zaidan that his client was a juvenile at the time of the offence, which was noted by the judge.

Judge Zaidan also said that he felt that Mr Muntean was sincere in his apology, but insisted that it was still a serious offence and it has 'very serious effects' on the injured party.

The judge further commended the injured party for 'not wanting to seek revenge' against Mr Muntean through their statement.

He imposed an 11-month sentence on Mr Muntean, which will run consecutive to his current custodial sentence.