A Circuit Court Judge in Kerry has criticised the effects delays in probation reports are having on sentencing.
Judge Ronan Munro was speaking at Tralee Circuit Court in the case of Tomas Starodubcevas.
The 24-year-old of Tudor Lodge, Woodlawn Road, Killarney was due to be sentenced for the robbery of €325 from an American tourist in April last year.
However, the case was further adjourned due to the fact that a probation report has yet to be carried out.
Tomas Starodubcevas appeared via video-link from Cork Prison before Tralee Circuit Court for sentencing.
The 24-year-old, who is a Lithuanian national, had pleaded guilty to robbing money from Andrea Bartlett on the evening of April 22nd 2024.
The 81-year-old American previously outlined that she and her husband were visiting Killarney for their 54th wedding anniversary; and described hearing her arm “snapping like a tree branch” during the incident.
Judge Ronan Munro was told that a probation report was not yet ready for the defendant and the judge outlined he was not happy about this.
He asked Mr Starodubcevas if he had met with a probation officer yet, to which he replied “no”.
Judge Munro proceeded to ask a prison officer on the video-link if they could advise "what the state with a probation report is, because the sentencing is being delayed" due to the lack of it.
Defending barrister, Katie O’Connell said it’s shocking that he has yet to meet with a probation officer.
She described this as a significant delay and noted an order was made for the report on February 17th and again in May.
Judge Munro said the delay is far too long and asked for defending solicitor, Brendan Ahern, to write a letter to see what’s going on with the matter of a probation report.
Prosecuting barrister Tom Rice asked to put the case in for mention in November.
The judge noted he’ll call the matter later in the week for an update, before adjourning the case.
He remanded Mr Starodubcevas in continuing custody, to appear before Tralee Circuit Court via video-link next month for mention.
