A Dublin man who was found asleep on a pile of stolen cash with his accomplice after an armed robbery of a pharmacy has been given a suspended sentence.

Luke Curry (25) held open the security door of the shop while his accomplice entered. The other man was masked and carrying a kitchen knife.

Curry, of Shancastle Avenue, Clondalkin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery of the Jobstown Pharmacy, Kiltalawn Way, Tallaght on February 12, 2013.

Judge Desmond Hogan imposed a three-year sentence which he suspended in full on condition that Curry completes 240 hours of community service.

Gda James Ward told Elva Duffy, prosecuting, that staff in the pharmacy buzzed a security door open to let Curry in because they recognised him as a customer.

armed

He was closely followed by the armed man who shouted at staff to "give me the money and tablets".

After staff handed over cash, Curry said to his accomplice: "Come on, let's get out of here."

The staff said they were in fear during the robbery, inwhich €400 was stolen. As a result of garda inquiries and a local tip-off later that day, gardai went to a house near the pharmacy.

They looked through a window of the house and saw the two suspects sleeping on a couch.

Gardai entered the house and had to wake the men up. They found €275 of the stolen cash in a pile under where they were lying and arrested both men.

Curry was too intoxicated to be interviewed but later claimed he was in the pharmacy for innocent reasons.

He has 12 previous convictions including one for drug dealing.

Sarah Jane O'Callaghan, defending, said father-of-two Curry is now drug-free and has made efforts to turn his life around.

Online Editors