Courts / Dublin / Report

Suspended sentence for attack on security guard and threat to 'cut hearts out' of shoppers family

Date
2023-12-05

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Dundrum

County
Dublin

Summary

Alan Rooney, 54, of Stillorgan, was given a fully suspended 18‑month sentence for a series of offences committed on 18 September 2022 at Dundrum Town Centre. He pleaded guilty to theft, threats to kill, threatening abusive behaviour, breach of the peace, assault causing harm and entering a private kitchen and taking a kitchen knife. Rooney attacked a security guard, struck him five to six times and attempted to bring him to the ground before other security staff intervened. He also threatened a shopper, saying he would "cut the hearts out" of the shopper's wife and children. CCTV footage of the altercation was shown to the court. The judge, citing Rooney's 25 previous convictions, his 10‑year UK prison term for robbery and his moderate risk of reoffending, imposed the sentence on condition of probation, addiction services and victim‑focused work, suspending it in full for three years.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Suspended sentence for attack on security guard and threat to 'cut hearts out' of shoppers family. Charges or matters: charges of theft, threats to kill, threatening abusive behaviour, breach of the peace, assault causing harm and entering a private kitchen and taking a kitchen knife at various locations within Dundrum Town Centre, on September 18, 2022. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

September 18, 2022 Incident
2023-12-05 Publication

Case subjects

Alan Rooney

Defendant

Charges: charges of theft, threats to kill, threatening abusive behaviour, breach of the peace, assault causing harm and entering a private kitchen and taking a kitchen knife at various locations within Dundrum Town Centre, on September 18, 2022 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Passing sentence, Judge Orla Crowe said it was an unusual case starting with Rooney taking issue with a man with a dog, whom he did not know. Judge Crowe imposed an 18-month sentence which she suspended in full for three years on condition including that Rooney remain under probation supervision, engage with addiction services and carry out offence and victim-focused work as directed.