Courts / Dublin / Report
"Regular customer" tried to rob post office in "moment of madness"
Summary
Michael Kelly, 55, a regular customer of Rush Post Office, attempted to rob the shop on 24 September 2016. After asking for a bag and offering to pay, he returned minutes later with a note threatening the cashier and demanding money in the bag or death. He also told the staff not to alert the Gardaí. The cashier refused, threatened to press the panic alarm, and Kelly left without taking anything. The incident was captured on CCTV and Kelly was arrested about five months later. He pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. He has seven prior minor convictions and had not been in Garda attention since 2004. He claimed the act was a "moment of madness" and was drunk, though he had been sober for ten years before relapsing. The judge, recognising his long history of alcohol abuse but also his rehabilitation efforts, imposed a two‑and‑a‑half‑year suspended sentence.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: "Regular customer" tried to rob post office in "moment of madness". Charges or matters: attempted robbery at Rush Post Office in Rush, Co Dublin, on September 24, 2016. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 24, 2016 Incident
- 2018-03-12 Publication
Why: The woman later told gardaí that she was in "disbelief" because she recognised Kelly. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: attempted robbery at Rush Post Office in Rush, Co Dublin, on September 24, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He said in his view he "doesn't deserve an immediate custodial sentence" before he suspended a two and half year jail term.
Places mentioned
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