A Tralee man with addiction issues is due to be sentenced on Tuesday for robbing a teenager and assaulting a man in one night.
25-year-old Daniel Ianko of Lee Drive, Tralee, pleaded guilty to three charges, arising from two incidents on the same night.
He pleaded guilty to charges of robbery, assault with intent to cause harm, and possession of a knife.
On 14th August 2024, Mr Ianko had spent time in a casino, in The Greyhound Bar, and then a takeaway on Pembroke Street, before coming across a young man on Maine Street, who had just turned 18 that week.
Mr Ianko pulled a knife on the young man, who tried to flee but fell over, before Mr Ianko threatened him with the knife unless he handed over his bag.
The 18-year-old gave Mr Ianko his bag, which contained an iPhone, charger, vape, and €70 cash.
Mr Ianko then moved on to Ashe Street, where he met a 19-year-old man and assaulted him; the man sustained wounds to his face.
Mr Ianko was arrested a short time later for being intoxicated in public, and it was only later gardaí realised he was who assaulted the 19-year-old.
Mr Ianko was intoxicated and quite violent when arrested, while he also initially claimed he found the teenager’s bag in what Sergeant Nigel Shevlin described as a “self-serving account”.
The court heard he had a difficult family background, and addiction to drugs and alcohol accounts for a massive part of his offending.
Barrister Katie O’Connell, instructed by solicitor Brendan Ahern, offered remorse and apologies to the two victims on behalf of Mr Ianko.
Judge Alec Gabbett noted that a psychiatrist’s report concluded Mr Ianko does not have a mental disorder, and Judge Gabbett asked if Mr Ianko was feigning mental illness to get prescription medication.
Judge Gabbett said the risk to society is he comes out of prison and engages in polysubstance abuse again.
He adjourned the case to Tuesday for sentence, and told Mr Ianko he might as well appear on video link on that date, because he won’t be going home afterwards.
