Courts / Dublin / Report
Man who robbed pizzeria with chainsaw-wielding accomplice avoids jail
Summary
A 25-year-old man has received a fully suspended sentence for his involvement in an armed robbery at a pizzeria in Tallaght in September 2015. Craig Dempsey, now resident in Achill, County Mayo, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbing Apache Pizza in Oldbawn Shopping Centre, where approximately €2,535 was taken. He also admitted robbing a Spar store in Ballycullen in July 2015 while producing a broken bottle. The court heard that Dempsey and an accomplice, who carried an electric chainsaw, entered the pizzeria in the early hours demanding money. Judge Melanie Greally imposed consecutive sentences totalling six years, fully suspended for three years. The judge noted that Dempsey's principal risk factors, including cocaine use and association with antisocial peers, had been addressed. The court was informed that Dempsey had relocated to Mayo to distance himself from negative influences and was now caring for his unwell mother.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who robbed pizzeria with chainsaw-wielding accomplice avoids jail. Charges or matters: robbing Apache Pizza in Oldbawn Shopping Centre in Tallaght on September 6, 2015; robbing a Spar store at Old Court Shopping Centre in Ballycullen, Co Dublin and producing a broken bottle in the course of the offence on July 20, 2015. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- September 6, 2015 Incident
- July 20, 2015 Incident
- December 2016 Incident
- 2018-07-02 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: robbing Apache Pizza in Oldbawn Shopping Centre in Tallaght on September 6, 2015; robbing a Spar store at Old Court Shopping Centre in Ballycullen, Co Dublin and producing a broken bottle in the course of the offence on July 20, 2015 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: At the original sentence hearing in December 2016 defence barrister, Sorcha Whelan BL, said Dempsey had a cocaine drug debt at the time of the offence. Judge Greally imposed consecutive sentences totalling six years which she suspended in full for three years.; Judge Melanie Greally had previously adjourned the case for a year placing Dempsey on a probation bond during which time he would undergo probation supervision under strict conditions.
Places mentioned
- Allenton Road
- Tallaght
- Achill Island
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Topics
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