Posted by ‘DIPPING POCKETS’
US tourist beaten in ‘savage’ robbery at Dublin’s Temple Bar just six hours after arriving in Ireland
A US tourist was attacked in a “savage” robbery at Dublin’s Temple Bar six hours after landing in the country, a court heard.
The incident at Crow Street on July 25 happened after a woman befriended the man, in his 30s, to distract him, Dublin District Court was told.
CCTV footage played at a bail hearing showed the tourist beaten as he lay motionless on the ground.
Muggers rummaged through his pockets and dragged him across the street by his feet.
James Nolan, 35, with an address at a hostel on Frenchman’s Lane, Dublin 1, but from Tallaght, was charged with robbery of the New Yorker who has since left the country.
He appeared before Judge Cephas Power on Thursday as the third person to be charged over the incident.
He was denied bail.
Garda Paul Cummins said the accused “made no reply” to the charge.
Objecting to bail, the garda cited the seriousness of the incident and told the court that the tourist was approached by a woman who conversed with him from two other people “dipping his pocket”.
The tourist realised what was happening and tried to move when four others became involved and “launched a savage attack on the injured party” for two and a half minutes.
The court heard the man suffered punches and stamps to his head as he lay “motionless” on the ground.
At one point, he came around and grabbed the accused, who had allegedly moved his leg to pick up coins that fell out of his pocket.
He was attacked again, and CCTV footage showed him dragged by his feet across the street.
The footage also showed members of the group picking up money from off the ground before fleeing.
‘LOW PROFILE’
The officer said the tourist did not seek medical attention but may have suffered a broken finger.
He “kept a very low profile” after the incident, returned to America, and is recuperating.
Judge Power said the accused had the presumption of innocence, but noting the objections to bail, he remanded Mr Nolan in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court
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