Courts / Dublin / Report

Balkans war veteran tried to rob post offices after hours were cut

Date
2018-12-19

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

A 44‑year‑old former Croatian café worker, Mario Hanzic Broz, was found homeless after his work hours were cut, leading to a court hearing in Dublin. Broz attempted to rob two post offices in May 2018, carrying a 6mm air pistol. In the first incident at Botanic Road Post Office, he entered the building, shouted for money, but left without taking any cash. The elderly postmaster, aware of firearms from past robberies, could not see him on CCTV and later discovered he was gone. Two days later, at Berkeley Road Post Office, Broz approached a cashier, produced the pistol from a plastic bag, demanded money, then turned around and fled. Gardaí arrived after the panic button was pressed, and Broz was arrested at Blessington Street Basin. He pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and possession of an air pistol at both locations, with no prior convictions in Ireland.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Balkans war veteran tried to rob post offices after hours were cut. Charges or matters: attempted robbery and possession of an air pistol with intent at Botanic Road Post Office, Dublin 9, on May 8, 2018; attempted robbery and possession of an air pistol at Berkeley Road Post Office, Phibsborough, Dublin 7, on May 10, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

May 8, 2018 Incident
May 10, 2018 Incident
2018-12-19 Publication

Why: Mr Clarke submitted that though Broz had held down jobs in Croatia, he got into trouble because of his heroin addition. CNI source report

Case subjects

Mario Hanzic Broz

Applicant

Charges: attempted robbery and possession of an air pistol with intent at Botanic Road Post Office, Dublin 9, on May 8, 2018; attempted robbery and possession of an air pistol at Berkeley Road Post Office, Phibsborough, Dublin 7, on May 10, 2018 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: She adjourned the sentence to March of next year.; Judge Greally remanded Broz in continuing custody pending a probation report and prison governor's report.