Judge says robbery of tourist 'a nasty incident and a sad day for Waterford'
Waterford Courthouse
A District Court judge has described the robbery of a tourist as a “nasty incident” and a “sad day for Waterford.”
Daniils Vilevko (24) of 79 Farran Park, Waterford, was before Judge John Brennan charged with several offences, including robbery, theft and possession of drugs.
The court was told that gardaí received a report from the injured party, who was a tourist visiting from Boston.
The woman told gardaí that at 2am on November 29, 2024, on Colbeck Street, the defendant approached her, slapped her across the face and took her iPhone, scratching her hand in the process, before running away.
Her partner chased after him.
The injured party was able to give a description of her assailant, and he was arrested.
On searching the defendant at the station, gardaí found a small quantity of cannabis.
The injured party’s phone was recovered.
In a separate incident, gardaí took a report from another injured party who said their wallet had been stolen from their car.
On November 30, 2024, two tap transactions had been made by the defendant using the injured party’s card at a takeaway and Centra on John’s Street.
The court was told that the defendant had one previous conviction for criminal damage for which he received a two-month suspended sentence.
Acting for the defendant solicitor Ken Cunningham told the court that his client “did the honourable thing” and pleaded guilty.
He said in regards to the attack on the tourist, that had the case gone to trial, the gardaí would have faced “logistical challenges” not least with the participation of the victim.
Mr Cunningham said he did not want to minimise the incident, but when the injured party gave her statement, she said she had no injuries from “the slap.”
The slap, he said, was more of a “swipe” as the defendant grabbed her phone.
And that she found her phone at a garage using the Find My Phone app, so she was not at a loss for it.
Mr Cunningham said his client was “extremely intoxicated” at the time of the incident and did not remember robbing the woman when questioned by gardaí.
During his interview with gardaí, the defendant acknowledged the incident and said: “I was drunk. I apologise. I don’t even know what they look like. I am sincerely sorry.”
Mr Cunningham told the court that since the incident, his client has had time to reflect and is now holding down a full-time job.
Although the injured party was not at any economic loss, the defendant had brought €500 in compensation.
“These people have nothing to fear from Mr Vilevko. He would not recognise them if they were sitting beside him,” said Mr Cunningham.
He said his client had the support of his mother and knows that he must deal with his issues with alcohol.
Judge Brennan said this was a “nasty incident” that “gives Waterford a bad name.”
He said tourists should be able to feel safe coming to Waterford City.
“It is a very sad day for Waterford,” said Judge Brennan.
The judge noted that the defendant was drunk “and out of control” at the time and was shocked to see the CCTV footage of himself fleeing the scene.
He said Mr Cunningham had “portrayed it as best he could” and noted the defendant’s cooperation with gardaí, as well as the fact that he now has a job.
Judge Brennan said he was satisfied that the incident did not meet the threshold for a custodial sentence and ordered a probation report with a community service assessment.
He put the matter back to October 21, 2025.
If the probation report is positive, the defendant will do 100 hours of community service in lieu of 26 months in prison.
All other matters were taken into consideration except one summons matter, where the judge applied Section 1.1 of the Probation Act.
The judge also ordered that the compensation be transferred to the victim “without delay.”
