Courts / Dublin / Report

Shopkeeper fought off armed raider with wooden table leg, court hears

Date
2015-10-28
Stage
Sentence
Primary locality
Dublin
County
Dublin

Summary

In October 2015, Hai Ping Li, a shopkeeper, held armed robber Daniel Garland (34) in his Spar shop on North Circular Road, Dublin, until Gardaí arrived. Li wrestled Garland to the ground, struck him with a wooden table leg, and later "jumped" him outside. Garland had previously robbed another Spar shop in Drumcondra, taking €460 after threatening staff with a knife. He pleaded guilty to both robberies at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 18 and 22 October 2014. Garland, who had six prior convictions for theft, drug offences and criminal damage, cooperated with Garda investigations and admitted the robberies were "out of stupidity" to obtain money for drugs. Judge Martin Nolan sentenced him to 21 months' imprisonment, noting his cooperation and efforts to address addiction. The case highlighted the shopkeeper's decisive action and the court's consideration of Garland's rehabilitation efforts.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: Shopkeeper fought off armed raider with wooden table leg, court hears. Charges or matters: both robberies on Drumcondra Road Lower, Drumcondra and Portland Street North, North Circular Road on October 18 and October 22, 2014. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

Why: He said, because of the seriousness of the two robberies, he couldn't grant an application by Sandra Frayne BL defending, to adjourn the case to allow Garland continue with his rehabilitation. Defence account reported by CNI

Case subjects

Daniel Garland

Defendant

Charges: both robberies on Drumcondra Road Lower, Drumcondra and Portland Street North, North Circular Road on October 18 and October 22, 2014 (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: She submitted that, as it was his first violent offence, he was "deserving of a chance" and asked that the case be adjourned to allow him continue with his rehabilitation.

Places mentioned

Address Area
  • North Circular Road
  • Drumcondra Road
Secondary Mention
Residence
Court Venue
  • Dublin
  • Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
Incident
  • Portland Street
  • North Circular Road

Topics

Drugs Stage Sentence Theft

Related court reports

Read the original CNI report

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