Man (22) jailed over BoyleSports knife incident and Wicklow burglary
The Wicklow PeopleA Wicklow man who threatened staff with a knife during a robbery at a BoyleSports betting shop, and played a role in a Greystones burglary, has been sentenced to three years imprisonment
Nathan O’Brien (22), with an address at Jameson Heights, Bray, Co Wicklow, appeared for sentencing at Wicklow Circuit Criminal Court
Mr O’Brien entered guilty pleas in relation to two separate cases, one count of trespass arising from a burglary at a home in Greystones, and charges of robbery and false imprisonment connected to an incident at a BoyleSports betting shop in Bray.
Counsel for the prosecution, James Kelly, told the court that in April 2021, at a home in Hollybrook, Greystones, Mr O’Brien played a role in the theft of €600 and several gold chains from the property.
The court heard that Mr O’Brien missed multiple court dates in relation to this matter and was in the UK when the case was originally listed for trial.
Defence counsel, Justin McQuade BL, remarked that Mr O’Brien’s co-accused have since entered guilty pleas for handling stolen property.
In a second incident, the court heard that in 2024, Mr O’Brien entered a BoyleSports shop on Bray Main Street at around 9pm and threatened staff with a knife.
During the robbery, a man tried to leave, but the accused threatened him and forced him back into the shop.
Mr Kelly told the court that Mr O’Brien fled the scene after receiving €300 in small denominations. He was later identified via CCTV and apprehended in Shankill, Co Dublin.
During interview, he admitted that he carried out the BoyleSports robbery. A subsequent search of his belongings recovered €105.
The defendant has 23 previous convictions, including multiple robbery and theft offences. Mr O’Brien had received his last sentence at Teesside Crown Court in the United Kingdom.
Senior counsel for the accused, Michael Hourigan, stated that his client was homeless at the time of the incident and carried the knife “for his own protection”.
He also noted that Mr O’Brien had tragically lost his father and uncle in recent years and that his mother had struggled with drug issues during his childhood.
While in the UK, Mr O’Brien worked as a labourer on a building site, and his mother has since undergone drug treatment.
Judge Patrick Quinn sentenced Mr O’Brien to two years’ imprisonment for the false imprisonment charge and two years for the robbery, with the sentences to run concurrently.
He suspended the final 12 months of the term, stating: “I always acknowledge recovery and the effort you have undergone since entering custody.”
The trespassing charge was taken into consideration, and Judge Quinn backdated Mr O’Brien’s sentence to November 2025 to account for time already served in custody.