Courts / Dublin / Report

Suspended sentence for man who robbed a shop "for money for the kid for Christmas"

Summary

Paul Gibbons, 29, pleaded guilty to robbery at a Spar on Malahide Road, Artane, on 23 December 2013. He and two others entered the shop armed with knives, demanding money. Gardaí were alerted after a staff member tackled the raiders; the robbers fled, but Gibbons was arrested shortly after. The robbery yielded €347. Gibbons, who was on social welfare and had lost access to his ten‑year‑old son due to unpaid maintenance, said the act was the "most stupid thing" he had ever done. He cooperated with the investigation and made admissions. Judge Martin Nolan, considering his cooperation and the circumstances, sentenced him to three years' imprisonment, suspended in full. No other charges were brought against the two co‑raiders, and Gibbons has not been involved in further criminal activity since his arrest.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for man who robbed a shop "for money for the kid for Christmas". Charges or matters: robbery at Spar on the Malahide Road in Artane on December 23, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

• December 23, 2013 Incident
• Christmas Other
• 2015-01-13 Publication

Why: A father-of-one who robbed a shop with two others because he was desperate for money "for the kid for Christmas" has avoided a jail term. CNI source report

Case subjects

Places mentioned

Topics

Stage Sentence Theft

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Read the original CNI report