Courts / Dublin / Report
Pharmacy spree robber is jailed for six years
Summary
Patrick Fennell, 45, of Greenfort Avenue, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty to four pharmacy robberies committed over seven months. He was convicted of two robberies at Smyths Pharmacy in Clondalkin (19 July and 10 September 2018), one at Boylan's Pharmacy in Ballyfermot (8 October 2018) and one at Leonard's Corner Pharmacy on South Circular Road (22 February 2019). In each incident he used a knife, demanded drugs, and in some cases received cash. Garda accounts detail his use of a balaclava, erratic behaviour and the acquisition of large quantities of prescription drugs. Fennell had nine prior convictions, including for production of an article. He was sentenced by Judge Martin Nolan to three years for each count, with all but the final offence running concurrently and the last running consecutively, giving an effective six‑year custodial term.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Pharmacy spree robber is jailed for six years. Charges or matters: two robberies at Smyths Pharmacy, Chaplain's Place, Clondalkin, on July 19, 2018 and September 10, 2018; two further robberies at Boylan's Pharmacy, Ballyfermot on October 8, 2018, and at Leonard's Corner Pharmacy, South Circular Road, on February 22, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- July 19, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- September 10, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- October 8, 2018 Hearing Or Sentence
- February 22, 2019 Other
- 2019-10-31 Publication
Why: She submitted that her client became addicted to crack cocaine in 2016 and committed the robberies in order to obtain money to feed his addiction. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: two robberies at Smyths Pharmacy, Chaplain's Place, Clondalkin, on July 19, 2018 and September 10, 2018; two further robberies at Boylan's Pharmacy, Ballyfermot on October 8, 2018, and at Leonard's Corner Pharmacy, South Circular Road, on February 22, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Martin Nolan sentenced Fennell to three years imprisonment on each count. He ordered that they all run concurrently, with the exception of the final offence which will run consecutively to the others, for an effective operating sentence of six years imprisonment.
Places mentioned
- Greenfort Avenue
- Dublin
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Chaplain's Place
- South Circular Road
- South Circular Road
Topics
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