Man who fled to UK after robbing boy at knifepoint jailed for 12 months

A MAN who fled to the UK after robbing a mobile phone and cash from a “vulnerable” teenage boy at knifepoint was jailed for a year.

Jimmy Casey (22), of Topping’s Field, Limerick, pleaded guilty before Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to robbing the 15-year-old boy in broad daylight at or near O’Connell Street on January 28, 2019.

The court heard that Mr Casey, who was 16 at the time, had 32 other convictions, including 25 convictions in this country, and seven convictions from Birmingham Crown Court in England.

Six of Casey’s convictions were for burglary and one for theft. The majority were for road traffic offences.

The victim purchased a mobile phone and charger, costing €100, at the Arthur’s Quay Shopping Centre, Limerick, moments before Casey swooped in on him.

Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan told the court Casey approached the “vulnerable” victim outside the shopping centre and ordered him to hand over his mobile phone.

Mr O’Sullivan said that when the boy initially refused, Casey “exposed a blade he had concealed in his clothing” and the boy handed over the phone and charger pack “under duress”.

When pressed by Casey for more valuables, the boy gave him €35 in cash, “which he was to give to his mother on his return from the shop”, said Mr O‘Sullivan.

The boy immediately informed his father, who contacted Gardaí, who in turn arrested Casey on O’Connell Street, still in possession of the stolen phone and charger.

Mr O’Sullivan said the victim had his own “challenges with the criminal justice system” and had not wished to provide a victim impact statement to the court.

Casey was questioned by Gardaí but nothing of an evidential nature emerged from his detention. He later fled to the UK and a warrant for his arrest was issued by the courts in March 2022.

Casey had been in custody since he voluntarily returned to Limerick on January 12, 2026.

Casey’s barrister, Kenny Kerins, argued that although Casey had fled to the UK, “he did not have to be extradited” as he returned voluntarily.

Mr Keirns said Casey was now married with children and had penned a letter to the court apologising to all involved.

“When I was a silly boy, I made a mistake, I’m now married with children, and my wife and children need me,” Casey stated in the letter.

“I’m 23 now, and if I could turn back the clock, I would. I’m truly sorry. I apologise for running away, I was young and foolish.”

Mr Kerins implored Judge Colin Daly to “go as easy as you can” in sentencing, adding: “He was 16 at the time, he was only at child.”

Judge Daly noted that Casey “was a child who targeted another child” but also that he committed the robbery “with a blade”.

The judge said a two-year headline was appropriate, which he reduced to 18 months on foot of Casey’s guilty plea.

Judge Daly ultimately reduced the sentence to 12 months, after taking into consideration Casey’s letter of remorse and his new family responsibilities.

The judge said Casey had nonetheless lost out on a “significant” further reduction in mitigation “as he fled and remained at large” until his arrest.

Casey’s sentence was backdated to January 1, 2026 when he first entered custody.