Courts / Dublin / Report
Brave Paddy Power worker helped unmask repeat robber
Summary
A brave Paddy Power worker helped unmask a repeat robber by pulling at his face covering during a raid, enabling gardaí to identify him from CCTV. Charles Darcy, who has 64 previous convictions, claims to have undergone a "sea change" and wants to attend drug treatment. He pleaded guilty to robbery of car keys and unauthorised taking of a car and robbery at Paddy Power. Judge Jonathan Dunphy said he was not prepared to "roll the dice" by immediately releasing Darcy to attend residential treatment. He ordered a probation report and adjourned the case until October 9 for finalisation. The court heard that Darcy had a significant poly-substance addiction problem and these crimes were committed to get money to fuel that addiction. He has a difficult history and has been in and out of custody since he was a young man. He has had a recent awakening with the help of his sister, who is committed to helping put him on the right track.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Brave Paddy Power worker helped unmask repeat robber. Charges or matters: robbery of car keys; unauthorised taking of a car; production of a knife on the basis of common design; robbery at Paddy Power. Procedural stage: charge_or_pretrial
When:
- November 17, 2025 Other
- November 22, 2025 Incident
- October 9 Adjournment
- February 2026 Incident
- 2026-07-29 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: robbery of car keys; unauthorised taking of a car; production of a knife on the basis of common design; robbery at Paddy Power (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: adjourned the case until October 9 for finalisation
Places mentioned
- Johns Lane
- Dublin
- Johns Lane
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal court
Topics
Drugs Stage Charge Or Pretrial Theft
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