Courts / Dublin / Report

Former drugs counsellor turned robber 'not very good at crime'

Date
2020-04-20

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

In a Dublin Circuit Criminal Court hearing, Judge Martin Nolan sentenced 44‑year‑old Keith McCarthy to four years' imprisonment for a series of robberies carried out after a relapse into drug addiction. McCarthy, a former drug counsellor who had previously overcome his addiction, pleaded guilty to two robberies at Eddie Rocket's in Finglas, a robbery at BoyleSports in Donabate, an attempted robbery at Ladbrokes in Mulhuddart, and two driving‑without‑insurance offences. He admitted stealing almost €2,000 from Eddie Rocket's and €5,000 from BoyleSports, using an imitation firearm and a scarf to conceal his face. The judge noted McCarthy's history of 38 convictions, including 30 traffic offences, and his prior suspended robbery sentence in 2015. He highlighted McCarthy's remorse, cooperation with Gardaí, and his role as a caring father and son, while emphasising the need for him to overcome his addictive habits. McCarthy was also disqualified from driving for four years.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Former drugs counsellor turned robber 'not very good at crime'. Charges or matters: twice robbing Eddie Rocket's in Finglas on June 25 and July 9, 2019; robbery of BoyleSports on Main Street in Donabate and attempted robbery of Ladbrokes in Mulhuddart, both on July 20, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

June 25 Hearing Or Sentence
July 9, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
July 20, 2019 Incident
July 20 Incident
July 23, 2019 Incident
June 2015 Incident
2020-04-20 Publication

Why: He said he was concerned for the safety of his partner and her child because of the drug debt he owed. CNI source report

Case subjects

Keith McCarthy

Convicted Person

Charges: twice robbing Eddie Rocket's in Finglas on June 25 and July 9, 2019; robbery of BoyleSports on Main Street in Donabate and attempted robbery of Ladbrokes in Mulhuddart, both on July 20, 2019 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He carried out three robberies and an attempted robbery to get cash to pay off a drug debt following his relapse. "I am impressed that he is not the worst individual in the world," Judge Nolan said before he jailed him for four years and disqualified him from driving for four years having heard that McCarthy twice drove without insurance.