"Ringleader" of jewellery store robbery has sentence reduced on appeal

A man convicted of leading a jewellery store robbery in Castleblayney has had his prison sentence reduced on appeal. Moise Rostas, aged 25, pleaded guilty at Monaghan Circuit Criminal Court to stealing €20,000 worth of jewellery from McGuigan's Jewellers on Main Street on 28 December 2012. He was sentenced to three years imprisonment in January 2016. The Court of Appeal reduced his term, suspending the final nine months subject to payment of €5,000 compensation. Mr Justice Alan Mahon found the sentencing judge erred by suggesting the shopowner and employee were present during the theft, when they had not been. The judge noted Rostas had no previous convictions and was already demonstrating rehabilitation in custody. The Court of Appeal imposed a two-year good behaviour bond on release. The jewellery was never recovered. Following the robbery, the business subsequently closed.