Long history of violence with 128 convictions between them
MICHAEL Cash has racked up an average of almost 10 convictions every year over the last decade.
Cash, of Ashlawn Park, Ballybrack, has a staggering 96 previous convictions.
He first came to the attention of local gardaí at 14 when he stole a motorbike. He went on to steal 13 cars, commit 22 thefts and take part in two robberies.
Cash is also no stranger to committing crime on bail or while on probation. He robbed a group of teenagers at knifepoint in 2009 – aged just 16 – and while on bail for that offence took a knife to a pizza delivery man.
On his Facebook page, he brags about going to court (time and time again), claims to ‘love’ RTÉ’s Crimecall, and jokes about boozing. One posts reads: ‘Court 2moro f**king stress theres alwayse somethin’.
His co-accused Jamie O’Brien, Hazelwood, Fassaroe, Bray, has 32 previous convictions, almost all of which are for stealing. He committed his first offence at the age of 12 when he was caught stealing alcohol.
By the time he was 13, he was serving 18 months in a young offenders’ institution for the savage assault of a young girl during which she had seven of her teeth knocked out.
A source said: ‘The figures are shocking. In Cash’s case he averages a conviction every month for eight years. That’s the ones he was caught for. Some experts suggest that, for every offence they’re caught for, they get away with seven more.
‘These two are prolific criminals. Constant recidivism. Bail, probation and community service are a waste for these guys who view it simply as “getting off”.
‘For some, even prison is simply a rest from daily life. A bit of stability where they eat properly and train in the gym. Policy here is that you’re sent to prison as punishment – not for punishment.’