Three men targeted in ten minute Carlow mugging spree - Courts News Ireland

A serial offender who was described in court as bringing “much suffering” to his community has been remanded in custody pending sentence for a mugging and two attempted robberies in Carlow town. Joe Curtin (29) of Riverview Close, Tullow Road, pleaded guilty at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court to robbery and two attempted robberies in Hanover Park, Carlow Town on April

A serial offender who was described in court as bringing “much suffering” to his community has been remanded in custody pending sentence for a mugging and two attempted robberies in Carlow town.

Joe Curtin (29) of Riverview Close, Tullow Road, pleaded guilty at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court to robbery and two attempted robberies in Hanover Park, Carlow Town on April 1, 2025. He has 75 previous convictions.

The court heard that the muggings all occurred within ten minutes of each other in Hanover Park at 8.30pm.

The first victim was punched in the face and his phone, bag, wallet and watch were demanded from him. When he fell to the ground from the initial attack, Curtin climbed on top of the man and took the watch off his wrist.

A young man who was out walking his dog was also stopped by Curtin ten minutes later. He demanded the dog, phone and wallet from the victim. The victim refused and Curtin became aggressive and kicked him.

A third man came upon this attempted mugging and came to the victim’s assistance. Curtin tried to grab his phone from him but the two managed to escape and ran off in the direction of Pennys nearby.

The gardaí were alerted and a number of units attended at the park. Curtin was still in the park and he was immediately identified as a suspect and arrested.

Detective Garda Kieran Shields told Brian O’Shea BL, prosecuting, that there were no victim impact statements in the case but he spoke to the men on the phone. He said the third victim told him of the defendant: “I hope he gets the help he needs”.

Tom Kelly BL, defending, submitted to the court that his client’s addiction to alcohol and drugs, as well as the fact that he does not take his prescribed medication for his mental illness, has been “central” to his offending.

He said his client has “expressed his regret to have spent so much time in custody, which has led to him missing so much time with his loved ones.”

Curtin, who appeared via video-link, told the court that he was free of drugs for the last seven weeks. “I will never go back to them,” he said.

Mr Kelly said Curtin must show the court, when he is ultimately released, what he is willing to do in terms of his recovery.

“He needs to break this cycle which has caused so much suffering to him, his family and the community,” Mr Kelly said, adding that Curtin acknowledges this himself.

Det Gda Shields said as soon as Curtin was placed in the patrol car he admitted he had the victim’s watch and handed it to gardaí. He was taken in for questioning but deemed unfit for interview due to his level of intoxication.

The detective acknowledged that Curtin has both a heroin and crack cocaine addiction. He is also medicated for a number of mental health illness. He was intoxicated on the day in question and had not taken his prescribed medications.

Det Gda Shields said that he has known Curtin for a number of years and he has serious issues with drugs. “He is the most placid person once there are no drugs involved,” he said.

While acknowledging that they were “serious offences” before the court – Det Gda Shields said “it is help that he needs – it would be of serious benefit to him”.

He agreed with Mr O’Shea that it would also benefit the community should Curtin rehabilitate.

Det Gda Shields agreed with Mr Kelly that one of the victim’s took a relatively “benevolent approach” to the case and showed sympathy towards Curtin.

He accepted that Curtin’s failure to take his medication and his addictions to alcohol and drugs were “central” to his offending.

Mr Kelly said his client is finding his time in custody particularly difficult and has been assaulted there.

Counsel asked the court to consider both a probation report and psychological report before the court. He said both reports conclude that Curtin needs “very structured programmes of engagement with consequences if he fails to participate and engage”.

He said Curtin has “expressed motivation” to remain drug free but added that it is also something “he must demonstrate”.

Judge Mary Morrissey adjourned the case to next week for finalisation of sentence.