Courts / Dublin / Report

Serial robber threatened shop worker that he had "the virus"

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Michael Rooney Dignam, 38, pleaded guilty to robbery at a Centra shop on 7 May 2017. He entered the shop, threatened a worker with a syringe filled with red liquid, claiming he had "the virus" and demanded the till be opened. The worker saw the syringe, which she believed contained his blood. Rooney Dignam stole €600. He admitted no memory of the incident but later identified himself on CCTV. He has 47 prior convictions, including 18 for robbery and one for manslaughter. He is serving a six‑year sentence, with the final 18 months suspended for three robberies in May 2017, and is scheduled for release on 29 September 2020. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to 18 months' imprisonment, to start today.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Serial robber threatened shop worker that he had "the virus". Charges or matters: robbery at Centra, New Cabra Road, Dublin, on May 7 2017. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• May 7 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
• May 2017 Incident
• September 29, 2020 Incident
• 2019-02-22 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime

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Read the original CNI report