Courts / Dublin / Report
Would-be robber who pointed imitation gun at gardaí will not face higher sentence despite appeal by prosecutors
Summary
Mark O'Reilly, 37, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm at a service station in Tallaght on 11 March 2012. He was sentenced by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three years' imprisonment, with 18 months suspended, on 7 April 2014. The Director of Public Prosecutions appealed the sentence as too lenient, but the Court of Appeal dismissed the appeal. O'Reilly pointed a realistic‑looking imitation handgun at two Gardaí during the robbery attempt. The attendant, Mr Rizman Ali, acted quickly, pressed the emergency button and counted the money while facing threats. Gardaí arrived, produced firearms, and arrested O'Reilly. He did not admit guilt in detention but claimed he had only pointed the gun at the attendant. O'Reilly's suspended sentence was reactivated after a Probation Service application, and he is now serving the suspended portion.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Would-be robber who pointed imitation gun at gardaí will not face higher sentence despite appeal by prosecutors. Charges or matters: attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence at a Fortunestown service station, Tallaght, Dubln 24 on March 11, 2012. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- March 11, 2012 Incident
- April 7 2014 Incident
- April 2014 Incident
- 2015-02-16 Publication
Case subjects
Appellant
Charges: attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit an indictable offence at a Fortunestown service station, Tallaght, Dubln 24 on March 11, 2012 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to three years imprisonment with the final 18 months suspended by Judge Desmond Hogan on April 7 2014. The Director of Public Prosecutions failed to appeal O'Reilly's sentence in the Court of Appeal today on the ground that it was too lenient.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
Topics
Related court reports
- Pair jailed for preying on innocent shooting victim in 'vicious extortion racket'
- 'Fun loving' drug dealer jailed over possession of €90k in crime cash
- 'I'm doing my job as a mum': court hears exchange between mother and accused son
- Separated husband spared conviction despite alleged threat to throw former wife out window
- Serial criminal set car ablaze after release from Melanie McCarthy-McNamara manslaughter sentence
- Drug dealer further sentenced for 'crudely' laundering own crime cash
If a fact, identity, locality or legal outcome needs review, email the newsroom with this report's details prefilled.
Email a correction request