A DUBLIN man who carried out what Judge Joseph Mathews called an "uncontrolled flashflood of crime through the streets of the city" has been jailed for 12 years in consecutive sentences.
John Jones (21), of Kildare Park, Crumlin, pleaded guilty at Dublin a Circuit Criminal Court to 30 offences of robbery, having drugs for supply and unauthorised taking of cars between January and August 1996. Jones was released on bail after most of them.
"One word explains why this man is before me today - heroin", said Judge Mathews who added he would review the sentence in three years.
He hoped Jones equipped himself in custody with training, education and counselling.
"If you spit back this chance at me on April 25th, 2000, I will be entitled to close the book on you and the 12 year sentence will stand but I sincerely believe today is a turning point in your life," Judge Mathews added.
Mr Anthony Sammon SC defending, said that while most of his offences were drug fuelled, Jones did not claim all his criminality was due to drugs. Unlike professional robbers, Jones went out of his way to assure his victims he didn't wish to hurt them with his weapons.