Robber jailed after driving car at victim and breaking his leg

Isabel Hayes

A robber who drove his car at a victim, breaking his leg, has been jailed for this and for robbing a car in a separate incident.

Evan Campbell (27) was jailed on Friday for two years for the 2023 offences, with Judge Jonathan Dunphy noting he has since made excellent progress in his rehabilitation and is a role model for other prisoners.

The court heard Campbell, of Orchard Apartments, Greenwood, Dublin 13, took part in the robbery of a man and his partner who were walking through Santry village en route to the airport around 4.30am on April 23rd, 2023.

Campbell drove up alongside the pair, and his co-accused demanded they hand over their belongings.

When they ran away, the co-accused man got out of the car and pursued them on foot, grabbing the woman in a bear hug.

As he did so, Campbell drove his car at the man, pushing him against a fence and breaking his leg in the process. The co-accused then stole the man's wallet, bank cards and €150 in cash before the pair left in the car.

Some passers-by came to the victims' aid, and gardaí were alerted. CCTV footage was available, and Campbell and his co-accused were identified when they made purchases in a nearby petrol station while trying to use the victim's card.

He was arrested in May.

The injured party has since moved to Mexico. He said he was traumatised by the attack and was in fear for his life during it.

Campbell went on to commit another robbery later that year, on December 23rd, when he and two others went to view a car that had been advertised for sale online.

The court heard an argument broke out over the value of the car, which was being sold for €750, with one of Campbell's accomplices suggesting it was only worth €100.

The three men, including Campbell, were “intimidatory and threatening”, the court heard, before they made off in the victim's car. It was found the next day in a state of disrepair and had to be written off.

The court heard that it was actually worth € 3,000.

Campbell was arrested again in March 2024. He pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery in relation to both incidents. He has 40 previous convictions.

Aoife O'Leary, defending, said her client committed the offences at a time when his drug addiction was spiralling, and his mental health was suffering.

He has engaged with addiction services and has been an enhanced prisoner since May 2025. He was described as a “role model to other prisoners”.

He has expressed considerable regret for his actions and is on a path to recovery, the court heard.

Judge Dunphy noted he has achieved a great deal towards rehabilitation and has not re-offended since 2023.

He set sentences of two years and one year, nine months, which he ordered should run concurrently.