A prostitute who was jailed for five and a half years last May for robbing an American tourist at syringe point has been released on a three-year suspended sentence. Lynn Gill, 25, of North Strand in Dublin pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and assault in Baggot Street on 6 May 1999 and to robbery in Gardiner Street on 10 May of the same year.
Judge Elizabeth Dunne at the Circuit Criminal Court, who agreed last May to review the sentence at this time, heard evidence of the progress Ms Gill was making in dealing with her drug addiction. Ms Cox of the Merchants’ Quay project told Judge Dunne that Ms Gill had made great efforts to deal with her addiction. "I feel that she has put in place support mechanisms to prevent a relapse," she said.
Whilst in custody she had provided two urine samples which tested positive for drugs. Ms Gill had a relapse following a death in her family. "She was very disappointed about that and wished that it had not occurred," Ms Cox told the court.
Garda Kevin McGettigan gave evidence of how Ms Gill befriended Edie Dillow before telling her she would help find cheap accommodation in Dublin city centre. She went with Ms Dillow to an Internet café and stayed with her while she checked her e-mail. Ms Gill later robbed her of £270 but returned £40 after Ms Dillow pleaded that she had no money left for her holiday.
Ms Dillow was very frightened after the robbery and returned to the US immediately. Garda Phil O'Carroll told how Ms Gill also held a knife to a French woman four days previously in Baggot Street. A man passing on the street asked if everything was all right and the victim said she was being robbed. Ms Gill grabbed the man's tie and tried to hit him before she ran off.
Ms Gill told Gardaí that two men had attacked her earlier that night and "hassled" her for money. They were also watching her while she attempted to rob the French woman. She said she had the knife for protection because she had been attacked previously.
