Courts / Dublin / Report
Man who witnessed the killing of Gary Douch in Mountjoy is jailed for robbing jewellers
Summary
William O'Neill, aged 27, was sentenced to four years in prison for robbing Goldsmiths' Jewellers in Balbriggan on 10 May 2013. He admitted to smashing display cases with a sledgehammer, stealing jewellery worth €15,357 and causing €2,800 in damage. O'Neill also pleaded guilty to an attempted robbery at Rush Newsagents in Drimnagh on 10 November 2013 and to possession of a Taser gun in Crumlin on 30 March 2014. He claimed the weapons were for smashing glass, not for harming anyone, and that the gang intended to split the loot. O'Neill had previously served a sentence at Mountjoy, where he witnessed the killing of inmate Gary Douch, and had a criminal record of 68 convictions. The court noted his history of drug offences, assaults, public order and criminal damage charges. The judge imposed the four‑year term, with no mention of a suspended portion or effective custody details.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Man who witnessed the killing of Gary Douch in Mountjoy is jailed for robbing jewellers. Charges or matters: robbing Goldsmiths' Jewellers, Drogheda Street, Balbriggan, Co Dublin on May 10, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 10, 2013 Incident
- November 10, 2013 Incident
- March 30, 2014 Incident
- 2015-05-15 Publication
Why: William O'Neill (27), of Durrow Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12, told gardaí he robbed the Balbriggan premises along with three others because he was "in a panic and needed a few bob". CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: robbing Goldsmiths' Jewellers, Drogheda Street, Balbriggan, Co Dublin on May 10, 2013 (Alleged Or Contested)
Defendant
Charges: robbing Goldsmiths' Jewellers, Drogheda Street, Balbriggan, Co Dublin on May 10, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Pieter Le Vert BL, defending, said O'Neill had a difficult upbringing and served his first sentence aged 15 in Mountjoy.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Drogheda Street
- Keeper Road
- St Mary's Road
Topics
Drugs Public Order Stage Sentence Theft
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