Courts / Dublin / Report
Former drugs counsellor gets suspended sentence for his part in post office raid
Summary
In a 2013 robbery of a Tallaght post office, former chef and drug counsellor Keith McCarthy (38) participated after relapsing into drug use. He and an accomplice stole €10,351, escaping on a bicycle with one rider on the crossbar. The accomplice, armed with a lump hammer, was never charged and died shortly after. McCarthy, who had been drug‑free for ten years, pleaded guilty to robbery at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Judge Mary Ellen Ring suspended a four‑year jail term, noting he had not offended since and was engaged in drug treatment and victim awareness work. The stolen money was never recovered. McCarthy's fingerprints on the getaway bike led to his arrest two weeks after the raid. The case highlighted his prior 15 convictions and his recent relapse after family difficulties. The court emphasized his commitment to remain drug‑free and comply with the suspended sentence conditions.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Former drugs counsellor gets suspended sentence for his part in post office raid. Charges or matters: robbery on May 9, 2013. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- May 9, 2013 Incident
- 2015-06-11 Publication
Why: "I didn't wake up one day and decide to mess my life up," Mr McCarthy said before he explained that he stopped using his usual supports and started "taking stuff" to manage his life. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: robbery on May 9, 2013 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Judge Ring suspended a sentence of four years imprisonment after noting that McCarthy has not offended since the robbery and has taken steps to again deal with his drug addiction.
Places mentioned
Topics
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