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Man tracked using 'find phone' feature jailed for theft
🇮🇪 Ireland /Crime & Justice

Man tracked using 'find phone' feature jailed for theft

From RTÉ News · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A Dublin man with 117 previous convictions has been jailed for stealing an iPhone using a hammer and threats.
  • Gardaí tracked the suspect, Carl McGuinness, using the 'find my phone' feature after he triggered a panic alarm during the robbery.
  • McGuinness, who has a history of theft, robbery, and assault, was on bail and serving another sentence at the time of the offense.

A Dublin man with an extensive criminal record has been sentenced to three years and six months in prison for robbing an iPhone from an ice-cream parlor. Carl McGuinness, 31, who has 117 previous convictions, carried out the theft on February 11, 2025, armed with a hammer.

McGuinness entered the shop in Ranelagh and demanded the manager open the till, banging the hammer on the counter. When the manager stated she could not open it, he attempted to force the till himself, accidentally triggering a panic alarm. He then grabbed the woman's iPhone 13, valued at approximately €550, and fled on a bicycle.

caught red-handed

— Judge Orla CroweThe judge described how the suspect was apprehended immediately after the crime due to the technology used.

Gardaí responded swiftly to the alarm and utilized the 'find my phone' feature to locate McGuinness nearby. He was apprehended after an unsuccessful attempt to flee. The stolen iPhone and the hammer were recovered during a search. McGuinness confessed to the crime, identifying himself on CCTV footage, and stated he intended to sell the phone to fund a crack cocaine addiction.

good fortune

— Judge Orla CroweThe judge referred to the quick response of gardaí and the activation of the 'find my phone' feature as fortunate circumstances.

His prior convictions include multiple offenses for burglary, robbery, theft, assault, and attempted robbery. At the time of this offense, McGuinness was on bail and already serving a nine-year sentence imposed in March for vehicle theft, attempted theft, and dangerous driving offenses committed between August 2024 and May 2025.

During the court proceedings, McGuinness's defense lawyer highlighted his client's cooperation with the investigation, his apology to the victim, and his struggles with homelessness and addiction. The defense argued for leniency, asking the court to consider his remorse and ongoing efforts to address his issues while in custody. Judge Orla Crowe acknowledged the impact of addiction on both offenders and victims, noting that McGuinness was caught due to a combination of "good fortune" and the rapid response of the gardaí. She cited the use of the hammer, his extensive criminal history, and the fear instilled in the victim as aggravating factors in sentencing.

clearly blighted

— Judge Orla CroweThe judge commented on how addiction has negatively impacted both the life of the offender and his victims.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by RTÉ News. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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