Courts / Dublin / Report
Iraq war veteran impersonated garda and hijacked car during spree
Summary
Stephen Keane, 30, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Court to impersonating a Garda, unlawfully seizing a vehicle and robbery. On 25 August 2018, he entered BoyleSports in Firhouse, presented a badge and claimed to be an undercover Garda, demanding CCTV footage and access to the back of the bookmakers. After the manager refused, he left. Later that day he approached a car outside Firhouse Shopping Centre, told the driver to exit, claimed to have a gun, and then drove off with the vehicle. He then entered Dwan's Off‑Licence, pointed a gun at an employee, demanded money and stole €395 and three packs of cigarettes. Keane said the gun was a broken airsoft gun and that he had a drug debt. He has 68 prior convictions in Ireland and the UK. The judge remanded him in custody and adjourned sentencing for 8 July.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Iraq war veteran impersonated garda and hijacked car during spree. Charges or matters: impersonating a member of An Garda Síochána at BoyleSports, Firhouse Road, on August 25, 2018; unlawfully seizing a vehicle at Firhouse Shopping Centre, Firhouse, and robbery at Dwan's Off-Licence, Woodstown Shopping Centre, Ballycullen, on the same date. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- August 25, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- July 8 Adjournment
- 2019-04-09 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: impersonating a member of An Garda Síochána at BoyleSports, Firhouse Road, on August 25, 2018; unlawfully seizing a vehicle at Firhouse Shopping Centre, Firhouse, and robbery at Dwan's Off-Licence, Woodstown Shopping Centre, Ballycullen, on the same date (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He said he deserved to be punished, but asked for hope at the end of his sentence.; Judge Melanie Greally remanded Keane in custody and adjourned the matter for sentencing on July 8, next.
Places mentioned
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