Judge hits out at 'this kind of crap' as teen convicted of delivery man robbery

A judge has told a Tallaght teenager who stole a Chinese takeaway that “this kind of crap” puts delivery men off doing their jobs.

“On the face of it to some this may seem a minor crime, property to the value of €18,” Judge Mary Ellen Ring told 19-year-old Daniel Wall, “but this delivery man, Mr Yang Yu, provides an excellent service, bringing food to people’s doors.”

“The kind of crap you engaged in puts people like Mr Yu off doing their work, they stop delivering and lose their business,” Judge Ring said as Wall nodded in agreement.

Judge Ring restored the teenager’s bail pending sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Wall of Greenhills Grove grabbed the takeaway from Mr Yu, ate it in front of him and refused to pay for it.

He pleaded guilty to theft of the takeaway, worth €18, at Greenhills Grove on May 19, 2011. His previous convictions included burglary, drink driving and public order.

“You seem to have a problem with drink,” Judge Ring continued.

“If you don’t tackle it now you will either be dead or in the company of prison officers again. The European Cup is coming up, there will be a lot of people out drinking, mind yourself,” she said.

Wall had been remanded in custody earlier this week after evidence was first heard in the case because Judge Ring said the “court has run out of rope and generosity”.

She noted then from his many previous convictions from the Children Court that Wall had been given both probation bonds and suspended sentences for his offending behaviour in the past.

“I presume your two-night stay in prison was not pleasant,” Judge Ring said before she warned Wall that she had the power to extend that stay.

Judge Ring restored Wall’s bail and adjourned sentencing to July after advising Garda David Morris that if there was any problem with Wall, “even intoxication in a public place” in the meantime, he was to be brought back before the court.

Judge Ring also asked that Wall be assessed to see if he was suitable for a restorative justice programme and told Wall that this may mean that he will meet Mr Yu “and we will see what he has to say to you”. She also ordered a probation report for that date.

Gda Morris told Úna Tighe BL, prosecuting, during the sentence hearing, that as Mr Yu drove into the estate a yellow van was blocking the road so he pulled in and took the takeaway out to deliver it.

He was then approached by Wall who grabbed the food and was very aggressive towards him. Mr Yu felt scared for his safety but asked Wall for the money.

Wall refused to give it and told the man to “go away” before he got into the yellow van and started eating the food.

Gda Morris said Mr Yu then called to the house where the food was supposed to be delivered to in the hope of getting some assistance but they didn’t help. The garda confirmed that these people were Wall’s cousins.

Mr Yu again tried to get the money from Wall as he passed him in the van but Wall threatened to kill him with “a f***ing knife”.

The victim ran away and alerted the gardaí. Wall was arrested minutes later and made admissions.

Gda Morris told Keith Spencer BL, defending, he was not aware that two of Wall’s brothers had died recently in tragic circumstances.