Darren McDonnell remanded over burglary and knife robbery

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

Darren McDonnell was remanded in continuing custody at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with the proceedings reported on 17 May 2021, over burglary, robbery and possession of a knife. The court heard that he had pleaded guilty to burglary at a home in Curraheenduff, Thurles, Co Tipperary, and to robbery and possession of a knife at Spar, Tonlegee Road, Coolock. The burglary occurred on 4 November 2020 and the robbery and knife offence on 9 November 2020. Judge Elma Sheahan adjourned the matter for finalisation on June 14 next.

The report said McDonnell had been caught returning to a rehabilitation centre with a shotgun concealed in his trousers, after the burglary, and that he handed over the shotgun, cartridges and a tablet. In defence, John Moher BL said McDonnell was declared unfit for interview because of drugs in his system, had relapsed during the second lockdown and had a long-standing heroin addiction. He said McDonnell’s stay at the centre, organised by his aunt, had been unsuccessful, and that maintaining progress in the community had been too difficult.