Courts / Dublin / Report

Armed building society robber caught with 'Tiger money'

Date
2020-11-16
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Ballymun
County
Dublin

Summary

Desmond Murphy, 49, was convicted of attempted robbery and robbery at two south Dublin building societies on 15 February 2018. He first held up a teller at EBS Main Street Blackrock with a gun, forcing the teller to lock the door and push him back into the public area. Fifteen minutes later he returned to EBS Georges Street Dun Laoghaire, pointed a gun at a female staff member and demanded "tiger money" – cash with serial numbers recorded for such incidents. He stole €10,380. CCTV captured a swallow tattoo on his left hand. Gardaí recovered €8,320 from his home, some matching the tiger‑money serials. Murphy has 51 prior convictions, has attended a drug rehabilitation course, and his lawyers argued he had turned his life around. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to 18 months, noting the gun was likely an imitation but the threat was serious. The case was heard at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Desmond Murphy pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Armed building society robber caught with 'Tiger money'. Charges or matters: attempted robbery and robbery at two south Dublin building societies on February 15, 2018. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Case subjects

Desmond Murphy

Defendant

Charges: attempted robbery and robbery at two south Dublin building societies on February 15, 2018 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: He noted in mitigation that Murphy had made great steps to reform himself and imposed an 18-month sentence.

Places mentioned

Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Secondary Mention
Address Area
  • Main Street
  • Georges Street

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report

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