Courts / Dublin / Report

Suspended sentence for "terrifying" attempted robbery of post office

Date
2015-02-26

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dublin

County
Dublin

Summary

Ian Mansfield, 24, and his accomplice Eugene Byrne, 21, were arrested after a "terrifying" armed raid on Clonsilla Post Office on 16 December 2013. Mansfield fled the scene on a motorbike, leading Gardaí on a chase from Dublin to Mullingar, Westmeath. He pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a suspended five‑year sentence, conditioned on Mansfield's good behaviour for that period, noting his lack of prior convictions and good family background. The post mistress suffered nightmares and remains cautious. Witnesses reported Mansfield brandishing a hammer and Byrne holding a silver gun; both wore motorcycle helmets. The raid lasted about a minute, ended without cash, and the men escaped on a motorcycle. Byrne also pleaded guilty and is scheduled for sentencing in March.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for "terrifying" attempted robbery of post office. Charges or matters: attempted robbery at Clonsilla Post Office on December 16, 2013; the attempted robbery and is due to be sentenced in March. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

December 16, 2013 Incident
2015-02-26 Publication

Case subjects

Eugene Byrne

Defendant

Charges: attempted robbery at Clonsilla Post Office on December 16, 2013; the attempted robbery and is due to be sentenced in March (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Byrne of Lohunda Down, Clonsilla, Dublin has pleaded guilty to the attempted robbery and is due to be sentenced in March.

Ian Mansfield

Defendant

Charges: attempted robbery at Clonsilla Post Office on December 16, 2013; the attempted robbery and is due to be sentenced in March (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Judge Martin Nolan suspended a sentence of five years imprisonment on condition that Mansfield be of good behaviour for that period. Judge Nolan said that there was no actual violence used and if there had been he would have jailed Mansfield.