Courts / Dublin / Report
Hapless robber dropped phone, cash at raid scenes
Summary
Michael Geoghegan, a man with a long history of criminal convictions, was jailed for five years after attempting to rob a bookies and two supermarkets. He dropped his phone and €200 at the scenes of the crimes. Geoghegan pleaded guilty to attempted robbery at Boyle Sports and two counts of robbery at Lidl. He had a debt of €7,000 and committed the offences to pay it off. His defence argued that he did not intend to hurt anyone and that the weapon used was an airsoft gun. The court heard that the offences were terrifying for the victims, who believed the weapon was real. Geoghegan's mother wrote a letter stating that he has changed since being in custody and is on a methadone reduction programme. Judge Orla Crowe imposed a headline sentence of eight years, but suspended the final year with conditions, including probation and addiction services.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Hapless robber dropped phone, cash at raid scenes. Charges or matters: attempted robbery at Boyle Sports and two counts of robbery at Lidl. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 13, 2025 Incident
- 2026-06-29 Publication
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: attempted robbery at Boyle Sports and two counts of robbery at Lidl (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: He was under a two-year suspended sentence at the time of these offences. She set a headline sentence of eight years imprisonment and, in light of the mitigating and personal circumstances, imposed a sentence of six years with the final year suspended.; Judge Crowe adjourned a hearing in relation to the activation of Geoghegan's previous sentence to Wednesday.
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