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Armed robber led gardai on chase from Dublin to Westmeath because "he had nothing left to lose", court hears

Date
2015-03-27
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

Eugene Byrne, 21, pleaded guilty to an attempted robbery of Clonsilla Post Office on 16 December 2013. He and accomplice Ian Mansfield fled on a motorbike, leading Gardaí on a chase from Dublin to Mullingar, Westmeath. Byrne was arrested in Trinidad and Tobago the previous year for attempting to export cocaine, receiving a two‑year hard‑labour sentence and a fine of about €4,000, of which he paid after six months in jail. He returned to Ireland in January. In Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Byrne was sentenced to five years, four of which were suspended. The court noted his prior dangerous‑driving conviction and his claim of being "out of kilter" after his father's death. The sentence credited the six months he served abroad. Mansfield received a suspended five‑year sentence. The case ended with Byrne's conviction and the specified custodial term.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Armed robber led gardai on chase from Dublin to Westmeath because "he had nothing left to lose", court hears. Charges or matters: attempted robbery at Clonsilla Post Office on December 16, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: By Declan Conlon An armed robber who said he led gardaí on a chase from Dublin to Westmeath because "he had nothing left to lose" has received a five year sentence with four years suspended. CNI source report

Case subjects

Eugene Byrne

Convicted Person

Charges: attempted robbery at Clonsilla Post Office on December 16, 2013 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Mansfield of Fortlawn Drive, Blanchardstown, Dublin was earlier spared jail with a suspended five year sentence. He was sentenced to two years hard labour, or a fine equivalent to about €4,000 which was paid after he spent six months in jail.

Places mentioned

Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Secondary Mention

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Theft

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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