Courts / Kildare / Report

Robbers foiled by off-duty gardai

Summary

In a 2016 robbery at a Topaz service station on Naas Road, Rathcoole, Robert Patchell (37) acted as the getaway driver while two co‑accused entered the store armed with knives. Two off‑duty Gardaí, who were using the petrol station at the time, observed the robbery and restrained the robbers. Patchell remained in the driver's seat, while one robber was restrained in the passenger seat and a third escaped. The Gardaí were threatened with knives and one officer, Garda Stephen Byrne, sustained a forearm wound. Patchell pleaded guilty to robbery of cash and a till. At the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Melanie Greally, after noting Patchell's positive steps and a clean recent drug test, imposed a three‑year suspended sentence, with the offence considered very serious. The sentence was suspended, and no custodial time was imposed. The case was heard in the criminal court in Dublin.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Robbers foiled by off-duty gardai. Charges or matters: robbery of cash and a till. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• June 22, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2017-11-03 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report