"Very high risk of re-offending" Longford court jails man for suspension breach

A man who breached the terms of his suspended sentence has been returned to Castlerea Prison. 

Mr John Robertson who previously resided at an address in Springlawn, Longford, appeared before Judge Jonathan Dunphy. 

The court heard that Mr Robertson had originally been sentenced by Judge Kenneth Connolly to 3 years in prison for a robbery offence with the final 6 months suspended for a period of 18 months. 

One of the conditions attached to Mr Robertson’s suspended sentence however required him to engage with the Probation Service, a condition with which he failed to comply.

A member of the probation service attended the court and took to the stand to give evidence of Mr Robertson’s breach of suspension.   

Addressing the probation officer, prosecution barrister Stephen Faulkner outlined the facts for her to confirm. 

He said, “Mr Robertson was directed to engage with the probation service for a period of 18 months upon his release and also to abstain from all unprescribed drugs and follow all directions given to him by the probation service.” 

“Appointments were offered to him and he failed to attend his first two appointments following his release. They were on October 21, 2025, and October 28, 2025."

"He arrived 30 minutes late for his third appointment on October 31 2025 and that was deemed to be a missed appointment.” 

He added that Mr Robertson was then issued with a formal letter on October 31.

The probation officer confirmed this was all correct.   

Mr Faulkner BL continued, “He (Mr Robertson) failed to attend appointments on January 13 2026 and again on January 15. The second warning letter was issued."

"He failed to attend a further appointment on February 3 and you advised him at that stage that the matter was being re-entered before the court. All the correspondence was sent to his parents address in County Meath which is the address he informed you he was residing at.”

This too was confirmed by the probation officer to be correct. 

Mr Faulker BL went on to tell the court that Mr Roberston had “failed to make any effort” to contact the office and that a final warning letter was issued on February 3.

Addressing the probation officer, he added, “You take the view that he is of very high risk of re-offending.”

“Yes,” she agreed.    

Mr Faulker BL continued, “You’ve become aware that he has come to adverse attention since his release and there’s a number of live charges pending before the court. You do of course accept that he is entitled to the presumption of innocence but yet it’s adverse attention nonetheless.”

The probation officer again agreed. 

Read: Public urged not to wash their windows as strange weather event is set to hit Ireland

Following this, Judge Dunphy consented to revoke Mr Robertson’s period of suspension. 

Defence barrister Niamh Tubridy requested that the custody warrant “reflect any engagement with addiction and psychological services.”

Judge Dunphy responded that he would direct that appropriate medical attention be provided, including access to psychological and addiction services where deemed necessary.