Courts / Dublin / Report

Syringe-brandishing robber is jailed

Summary

Rainis Koovit, aged 21, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, with one year suspended, for robbing a café in Dublin. On 27 February 2017 he brandished a syringe at a barista in Kaph Café, threatening to "stick it into her" if she tried to stop him. He attempted to take a tip jar, which was chained, and then stole about €20 worth of foreign currency before fleeing. Koovit pleaded guilty to robbery and to producing a syringe with intent to cause injury or intimidate. He had been on bail and was ordered to stay out of the Dublin 2 area, which the judge cited as an aggravating factor. The syringe was not believed to be infected with HIV. The court noted his history of drug use and prior convictions, and directed him to engage with probation services and address his addiction upon release.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Syringe-brandishing robber is jailed. Charges or matters: robbery of cash and to producing a syringe with intent to cause injury or intimidate on February 27 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• February 27 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
• 2018-02-14 Publication

Why: Garda Padraig McMahon told Monika Leech BL, prosecuting, that Koovit was at the cafe hours prior to the incident and decided to leave because the cafe was too full. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report