Courts / Dublin / Report

Former chef to be sentenced for his role in post office robbery

Date
2014-11-18
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

A former chef, Keith McCarthy, 38, will be sentenced next year for robbing a Tallaght post office. On 9 May 2013 he stood at the door while an armed accomplice threatened a cashier with a lump hammer and forced her to open cash drawers, taking €10,351. The post office was crowded with 40‑50 customers and staff; parents asked a staff member to hide children behind her desk. McCarthy, who had relapsed into drug use after a decade of sobriety, was remanded in custody until 23 January next year. He pleaded guilty to robbery at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court and had 15 prior convictions. The robbery was investigated by Garda Kieran Kilcoyne, who identified McCarthy from fingerprints on the getaway bike. The money was never recovered. The court noted McCarthy's history as a chef, drug counsellor, and his recent relapse into street methadone. He is on a waiting list for Tiglin treatment centre.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former chef to be sentenced for his role in post office robbery. Charges or matters: robbery on May 9, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: "I didn't wake up one day and decide to mess my life up," Mr McCarthy said before he explained that he stopped using his usual supports and started "taking stuff" to manage his life. CNI source report

Case subjects

Keith McCarthy

Accused

Charges: robbery on May 9, 2013 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: McCarthy was remanded in custody until January 23 next for sentence.; McCarthy was remanded in custody until January 23 next for sentence.

Places mentioned

Address Area
  • The Square
Secondary Mention
Residence
  • Kildonan Avenue
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Theft

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

Correction or retraction request

If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.

Email a correction request