Woman inadvertently helped street mugger's 'full-on' attack victim

Tom Tuite

A woman was mistakenly "dragged into" joining a “full-on” attack on a mugging victim after a phone snatch in Dublin, a judge was told.

Naomi Doogan, a 31-year-old healthcare worker, pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at St David's Terrace, D7, on June 20th last year.

Garda Conor Whelan told Dublin District Court that a robber had taken a phone but was chased by its owner.

However, he saw the accused, who was not involved in the theft, and "randomly" handed her the phone and ran.

Judge Treasa Kelly heard that mother-of-one Doogan was left in an "awkward situation".

The phone owner came and took it back from her, at which point the mugger returned and subjected him to a "full-on assault".

At first, Doogan, of Sword Street, Smithfield, D7, tried to stop it but then kicked the victim's leg twice as he was on the ground.

Defence solicitor Eoin Lysaght argued that his client "didn't know what was going on", which the garda accepted entirely.

The solicitor said Doogan was dragged into the middle of the situation.

Garda Whelan said the mugger was previously jailed for two years for the robbery, which was "quite bad". She had no prior convictions.

Mr Lysaght asked the judge to spare his client a criminal record because of her job, remorse and cooperation.

The solicitor said she had been in an abusive relationship, and she got very concerned seeing two people fighting and blood, but she should not have got involved.

Judge Treasa Kelly ordered her to pay €200 to an addiction treatment service, or she would be convicted and fined€300.

The case was adjourned until March.