Courts / Dublin / Report
Shop owner tells court of repeated robberies in "reign of terror"
Summary
Breda Cahill, owner of three convenience stores, gave a victim impact statement describing a "reign of terror" after her shops were robbed six times. She said she had to spend every minute in the shops to support staff and keep them safe. The statement was prepared for the sentencing of Brendan Payne, 36, who robbed one of her shops and was prevented from raiding another by Gardaí. Payne pleaded guilty to possession of a knife with intent to intimidate and to robbery. Judge Melanie Greally imposed a nine‑year prison sentence, suspending the last three years on the condition that Payne keep the peace, engage with Probation Services for 18 months, attend prison drug services and take up residential drug treatment. The sentence includes both offences and runs consecutively. Payne admitted he was tired of offending and had used drugs since age 12, citing his mother's alcoholism as a trigger.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Shop owner tells court of repeated robberies in "reign of terror". Charges or matters: having a knife with the intention of using to incapacitate or intimidate another on the Ballinteer Road on December 29, 2017 and to robbery at Centra, Rathfarnham on January 19, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- December 29, 2017 Incident
- January 19, 2018 Incident
- 2019-03-13 Publication
Why: Ms Cahill said she used to contribute to her local community groups but has been prevented from doing that because of the extra financial pressure she is now under. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: having a knife with the intention of using to incapacitate or intimidate another on the Ballinteer Road on December 29, 2017 and to robbery at Centra, Rathfarnham on January 19, 2018 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Melanie Greally suspended the last three years of a nine year prison sentence on condition that Payne keep the peace for that period and that he engage with the Probation Services for 18 months after his release.
Places mentioned
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