Jail for man who robbed couple at knifepoint in Louth shopping centre
Morgan Ryan (26), with an address at the time of Dundalk Simon Community, pleaded guilty to a charge of robbery at Tesco Extra, Stapleton Drive, Dundalk, on April 27, 2024.
The circuit court was asked to take into consideration charges of possession of a knife and making a threat to kill or cause serious harm.
Evidence was given last March that the defendant had gone up to several people that evening including an elderly lady on a mobile phone who ignored him before he targeted a male and female as they walked towards a covered car park around 7.25pm.
CCTV footage of the interaction was viewed in court.
Gda Ciarán McTeague said the victims were walking back to their car when they were approached by a man 'frothing at the mouth' and holding in his hand a partially crushed energy drink can.
He asked them for €3 for his girlfriend to get a bus. The man told him that he didn't carry cash.
Mr Ryan reached into his pocket and said, 'I will stab you in the neck'.
The woman was 'in genuine fear for her life' when she saw that he had a serrated steak-knife.
Her companion indicated that he would withdraw money from a nearby ATM.
The three people walked to the ATM beside an escalator. Mr Ryan was holding the knife in his hand.
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When he was given a €20 note he calmed down and remarked that he was there to protect people like them. He walked with the couple and tried to hug and kiss them.
Gda McTeague said the young woman cried with relief when they got to the car. The couple went to the garda station.
There were previous convictions including for robbery, attempted robbery, possession of knives and production of an article.
It was stated on Mr Ryan's behalf that he was born in the UK and placed in foster care when he came to Ireland. His foster mother passed away two years ago, and he was refused permission to attend the funeral by the prison governor.
He had been in custody most of his adult life and had spent the last eight Christmases inside.
The defendant took drugs and alcohol and got into a lot of trouble as a child and teenager. He had taken drugs in custody but was clean for the last month.
Counsel said what he did in Tesco Extra was an 'incredibly stupid action in an intoxicated state'.
Passing sentence, Judge Dara Hayes said he suspected that the couple would have done anything to get away from Morgan Ryan.
What he carried out was done under fear, duress and threat.
The female made a Victim Impact Statement. The incident had a considerable impact on her.
Judge Hayes imposed a three-and-a-half year sentence, backdated to April 29, 2024, when the defendant went into custody.
The final 12 months were suspended on condition that he place himself under Probation Service supervision for 12 months and complete a residential drug treatment programme and aftercare upon his release.
He must also be drug- and alcohol-free and provide urinalysis if requested.
Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
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