Courts / Dublin / Report
Galway man jailed for syringe robbery in capital
Summary
James O'Malley, aged 26, pleaded guilty in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery and the production of a syringe after threatening a cashier with a syringe and stealing a tray from a Costcutter shop on 13 April 2019. Gardaí CCTV footage showed O'Malley and a second man attempting to empty the till before taking the tray, then changing clothes in an abandoned yard. The shop suffered a €450 loss, and the tray was recovered after O'Malley's arrest. O'Malley admitted the offence, describing himself as "out of his head and strung out," and cited a history of 66 prior convictions, including robbery, assault, and drug offences. Judge Melanie Greally sentenced him to four‑and‑a‑half years' imprisonment, suspending the final 18 months on strict conditions, including mandatory residential drug treatment if directed by the Probation Service. The sentence reflects the seriousness of the syringe threat and O'Malley's need for comprehensive drug treatment.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Galway man jailed for syringe robbery in capital. Charges or matters: robbery and production of a syringe at Costcutter, Ormond Quay, Dublin 7, on April 13, 2019. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- April 13, 2019 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2020-05-07 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: robbery and production of a syringe at Costcutter, Ormond Quay, Dublin 7, on April 13, 2019 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: She sentenced O'Malley to four-and-a-half years imprisonment, but suspended the final 18 months of the sentence on strict conditions including that he attend for residential drug treatment if so directed by the Probation Service.
Places mentioned
Topics
Drugs Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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