Robber ‘left his phone at scene after snatching handbag’, court told

15th March 2022

A ROBBER who snatched a woman’s handbag was identified from a mobile phone he dropped as she chased him, it is alleged.

Gavin Clifford (20) is accused of being among three men who robbed the woman in the incident in north Dublin.

The case was adjourned at Dublin District Court.

Mr Clifford, of St Donagh’s Park, Donaghmede, is charged with robbery on August 9, 2019.

A garda sergeant told Judge Bryan Smyth the DPP consented to the case being heard in the district court subject to jurisdiction being considered.

Outlining the prosecution’s case, the sergeant said a woman in her 30s was walking to Clongriffin train station when she was approached by three males at Myrtle Close.

It was alleged that the three proceeded to rob her of her handbag which was on her shoulder, and she fought to hold onto it.

The woman’s shoulder was hurt as the bag was grabbed from her.

The three did not threaten the woman, but ran off and as she gave chase one of them dropped a mobile phone.

This was handed over to gardaí and was identified as the accused’s phone following a technical examination, it was alleged.

The woman did not need any medical attention and no weapons were used, the court heard.

Judge Smyth accepted jurisdiction. The accused was remanded on continuing bail to a date next month.