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Sunday World
05-07-2025
- Sunday World
Member of Macari takeaway family robbed and assaulted American tourist, court told
Stefano Gianluca Macari (24) had the victim's wallet and bank cards on his person when he was searched by gardaí. A young member of the Macari takeaway family robbed and assaulted an American tourist, kicking him to the head as he lay on the ground, a court has heard. Stefano Gianluca Macari (24) was caught by gardaí with his two co-accused smoking crack cocaine a short distance from where they left the tourist lying injured on the road, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today Macari had the victim's wallet and bank cards on his person when he was searched by gardaí. He made no admissions when interviewed and was due to stand trial on the matter last February, but he failed to appear. He has been in custody since he was arrested in June and he entered guilty pleas shortly after, Jane McGowan BL, prosecuting, told the court. Macari, of the Spire Hostel, Marlboro Street, Dublin, pleaded guilty to robbery and assault causing harm to the man – an American doctor in his 40s – on April 27, 2023. His two co-accused, a man and a woman, entered earlier guilty pleas and were jailed for four and five years respectively. Macari has 27 previous convictions, including burglary, handling stolen property, theft and assault. Stock image Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 4th Detective Garda Mark Reilly told the court that the tourist was in Temple Bar on the night in question and was trying to find his hotel when he was joined by Macari's male accomplice, who offered to help him home. While the pair were walking through Dublin, they were joined by Macari and the woman. They then set upon the man, assaulting him and causing him to fall to the ground. While there, Macari kicked him 'a number of times in the head', prosecuting counsel said. The trio rifled through the man's pockets and stole cash and his wallet before fleeing the scene. They were arrested a short time later in a nearby petrol station. The tourist was treated by paramedics at the scene for his injuries, which included lacerations and bruising to the face. He declined to go to hospital and treated his injuries himself with temporary stitches, the court heard. A victim impact statement was handed into court but not read aloud. Judge Martina Baxter watched a short clip of CCTV footage of the incident from the bench and noted that before leaving the scene, Macari aimed a 'gratuitous strong kick' to the victim's upper body. She noted the victim was left lying on a public road, where traffic could have come by. Derek Cooney BL, defending, said it was a 'nasty, nasty crime' and that his client wanted to offer an unreserved apology for his actions that night. He said Macari is a member of the Macari takeaway family and has had 'significant difficulties throughout his life'. He has struggled with drug addiction and has been by ostracised by his family in recent years, the court heard. He has had periods of homelessness and living in hostels. His brother died of a heroin overdose some years ago and this caused Macari's life to spiral out of control, defence counsel said. 'He has had opportunities, coming from a very well-respected family and educational opportunities, but drugs got the better of him,' Mr Cooney said. He said Macari's father is supportive of him and an offer has been made for him to work in the family business upon his release. Judge Baxter said she would finalise the matter in November. She ordered a probation report, governer's report and urine analysis for that date.
Sunday World
04-07-2025
- Sunday World
Member of Macari takeaway family admits to robbing and assaulting American tourist
Stefano Gianluca Macari (24) had the victim's wallet and bank cards on his person when he was searched by gardaí. A young member of the Macari takeaway family robbed and assaulted an American tourist, kicking him to the head as he lay on the ground, a court has heard. Stefano Gianluca Macari (24) was caught by gardaí with his two co-accused smoking crack cocaine a short distance from where they left the tourist lying injured on the road, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today Macari had the victim's wallet and bank cards on his person when he was searched by gardaí. He made no admissions when interviewed and was due to stand trial on the matter last February, but he failed to appear. He has been in custody since he was arrested in June and he entered guilty pleas shortly after, Jane McGowan BL, prosecuting, told the court. Macari, of the Spire Hostel, Marlboro Street, Dublin, pleaded guilty to robbery and assault causing harm to the man – an American doctor in his 40s – on April 27, 2023. His two co-accused, a man and a woman, entered earlier guilty pleas and were jailed for four and five years respectively. Macari has 27 previous convictions, including burglary, handling stolen property, theft and assault. Chips from Macari's Takeaway, Tallaght, Co Dublin Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 4th Detective Garda Mark Reilly told the court that the tourist was in Temple Bar on the night in question and was trying to find his hotel when he was joined by Macari's male accomplice, who offered to help him home. While the pair were walking through Dublin, they were joined by Macari and the woman. They then set upon the man, assaulting him and causing him to fall to the ground. While there, Macari kicked him 'a number of times in the head', prosecuting counsel said. The trio rifled through the man's pockets and stole cash and his wallet before fleeing the scene. They were arrested a short time later in a nearby petrol station. The tourist was treated by paramedics at the scene for his injuries, which included lacerations and bruising to the face. He declined to go to hospital and treated his injuries himself with temporary stitches, the court heard. A victim impact statement was handed into court but not read aloud. Judge Martina Baxter watched a short clip of CCTV footage of the incident from the bench and noted that before leaving the scene, Macari aimed a 'gratuitous strong kick' to the victim's upper body. She noted the victim was left lying on a public road, where traffic could have come by. Derek Cooney BL, defending, said it was a 'nasty, nasty crime' and that his client wanted to offer an unreserved apology for his actions that night. He said Macari is a member of the Macari takeaway family and has had 'significant difficulties throughout his life'. He has struggled with drug addiction and has been by ostracised by his family in recent years, the court heard. He has had periods of homelessness and living in hostels. His brother died of a heroin overdose some years ago and this caused Macari's life to spiral out of control, defence counsel said. 'He has had opportunities, coming from a very well-respected family and educational opportunities, but drugs got the better of him,' Mr Cooney said. He said Macari's father is supportive of him and an offer has been made for him to work in the family business upon his release. Judge Baxter said she would finalise the matter in November. She ordered a probation report, governer's report and urine analysis for that date.
Irish Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- Irish Daily Mirror
Dublin takeaway family member robbed and assaulted American tourist, court hears
A young member of the Macari takeaway family robbed and assaulted an American tourist, kicking him to the head as he lay on the ground, a court has heard. Stefano Gianluca Macari (24) was caught by gardaí with his two co-accused smoking crack cocaine a short distance from where they left the tourist lying injured on the road, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard today. Macari had the victim's wallet and bank cards on his person when he was searched by gardaí. He made no admissions when interviewed and was due to stand trial on the matter last February, but he failed to appear. He has been in custody since he was arrested in June and he entered guilty pleas shortly after, Jane McGowan BL, prosecuting, told the court. Macari, of the Spire Hostel, Marlboro Street, Dublin, pleaded guilty to robbery and assault causing harm to the man – an American doctor in his 40s – on April 27, 2023. His two co-accused, a man and a woman, entered earlier guilty pleas and were jailed for four and five years respectively. Macari has 27 previous convictions, including burglary, handling stolen property, theft and assault. Detective Garda Mark Reilly told the court that the tourist was in Temple Bar on the night in question and was trying to find his hotel when he was joined by Macari's male accomplice, who offered to help him home. While the pair were walking through Dublin, they were joined by Macari and the woman. They then set upon the man, assaulting him and causing him to fall to the ground. While there, Macari kicked him "a number of times in the head", prosecuting counsel said. The Irish Mirror's Crime Writers Michael O'Toole and Paul Healy are writing a new weekly newsletter called Crime Ireland. Click here to sign up and get it delivered to your inbox every week The trio rifled through the man's pockets and stole cash and his wallet before fleeing the scene. They were arrested a short time later in a nearby petrol station. The tourist was treated by paramedics at the scene for his injuries, which included lacerations and bruising to the face. He declined to go to hospital and treated his injuries himself with temporary stitches, the court heard. A victim impact statement was handed into court but not read aloud. Judge Martina Baxter watched a short clip of CCTV footage of the incident from the bench and noted that before leaving the scene, Macari aimed a "gratuitous strong kick" to the victim's upper body. She noted the victim was left lying on a public road, where traffic could have come by. Derek Cooney BL, defending, said it was a "nasty, nasty crime" and that his client wanted to offer an unreserved apology for his actions that night. He said Macari is a member of the Macari takeaway family and has had "significant difficulties throughout his life". He has struggled with drug addiction and has been by ostracised by his family in recent years, the court heard. He has had periods of homelessness and living in hostels. His brother died of a heroin overdose some years ago and this caused Macari's life to spiral out of control, defence counsel said. "He has had opportunities, coming from a very well-respected family and educational opportunities, but drugs got the better of him," Mr Cooney said. He said Macari's father is supportive of him and an offer has been made for him to work in the family business upon his release. Judge Baxter said she would finalise the matter in November. She ordered a probation report, governer's report and urine analysis for that date.
Irish Independent
24-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Man who assaulted garda with hurley and threatened to kill shop staff told to write letter of apology as his sentence is overturned
Connor Manning (29) was also ordered to write a letter of apology to the injured garda. The defendant, with last address at Spire Hostel, Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, had pleaded guilty to 15 offences including robbery, theft, assault and public order in the District Court. The District Court Appeals Court heard that on August 18, 2022, gardaí responded to an incident where Manning was swinging a hurley on Viking Harbour, Dublin 8. He became aggressive and knocked a garda member to the ground, injuring her and lifting a nail from her finger. He continued to act aggressively and kicked the number plate off of a garda patrol vehicle before being arrested for assault contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997. On January 14, 2023, Garda responded to four incidents throughout the day at the Circle K shop on Nassau Street, Dublin 2. On the first occasion, Manning threatened to kill staff if they pressed the panic alarm before stealing four cans of alcohol. He later re-entered, stole a further eight cans of Budweiser and said: 'If you press that button I will kill you'. He entered a further two times to take alcohol and cigarettes. Manning also faced charges relating to punching a man in Temple Bar and demanding he go to an ATM with him to give him money in the early hours of April 20, 2023. On August 19, 2024, gardaí were called to the Tesco store on Fleet Street, Dublin 2 where Manning attempted to steal two packs of cider. He was racially abusive to staff members and threw a pack of cider at one worker, striking them in the head. Defence counsel for Manning, Seosaimhín Ní Chathasaigh BL, said that his client had turned to drug abuse due to a tough life that 'he has found difficult to escape'. She said he was 'thoroughly ashamed' of his actions and was open to residential drug treatment. Judge James O'Donohoe said he did not have sympathy with regard to the assault on the garda with a hurley. However, he noted Manning's troubled background in coming to his decision. The judge said he would suspend Manning's eight-month custodial sentence for two years on the conditions that he engages with drug addiction services, remains outside of the city centre area and writes a letter of apology to the injured garda.
