Arthur Boland jailed for robberies, attempted robberies and threat offence

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Arthur Boland received a four-year sentence, with the final 12 months suspended, at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Mary Ellen Ring backdated the sentence to when he entered custody in March 2014. The proceedings were reported on 23 December 2014.

Boland pleaded guilty to two charges of attempted robbery at post offices in the Dublin 2 area and making a threat to kill or cause serious harm at Pearse Street Garda Station. The attempted robberies occurred on 1 March 2014, and the threat offence occurred the following day, 2 March 2014.

He also came forward from the District Court on signed guilty pleas to attempted robbery at the GPO on O’Connell Street, robbery at Ladbrooks on Marlborough Street and robbery at a post office in Clanbrassil Street, Dundalk. The GPO attempt occurred on the afternoon of 1 March 2014, with the Ladbrooks robbery minutes later. The Dundalk robbery occurred on 25 February 2014.

The report described notes threatening staff with violence. Boland had 94 previous convictions, mostly for theft and burglary, also including deception and use of a false instrument.

Mr Neville told the judge that Boland began drinking aged eight and suffered domestic violence from his father. He said drug use and inability to maintain work led Boland into offending. The report said previous rehabilitation attempts had failed and Boland had relapsed before these offences. Mr Neville said Boland expressed deep remorse and was shocked by his behaviour.