Courts / Dublin / Report

Pensioner attacked during robbery plans to leave home neighbourhood

Summary

In a robbery of a bookies on South Circular Road, Rialto, Dublin, a 66‑year‑old pensioner was attacked by one of the two men who forced a teller to hand over cash. The attacker grabbed her by the neck, pushed her against the glass and held her until the money was given. The victim, who has epilepsy and a heart murmur, was shaken and suffered soft‑tissue damage. CCTV footage identified the raiders, who were later arrested at Carmens Hostel/Hall on Francis Street. David O'Brien, 43, pleaded guilty to robbery; he was not the man who held the woman but was part of the pair. O'Brien, who has prior convictions for theft, drug and public‑order offences, was sentenced to four and a half years' imprisonment, with the final 18 months suspended to encourage rehabilitation. The victim, unable to return to the bookies, now plans to leave the neighbourhood where she has lived her whole life.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Pensioner attacked during robbery plans to leave home neighbourhood. Charges or matters: robbery. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• March 30, 2019 Incident
• 2021-03-23 Publication

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report