*Boylesports in Roslevan.
A judge has imposed a two year prison term on a balaclava-covered knife wielding robber after he made away with €265 in cash from a BoyleSports outlet on the eastern outskirts of Ennis.
At Ennis Circuit Court, Judge Francis Comerford imposed the two year prison term suspending the final 12 months on cocaine addict Dylan Considine Kelly (23) of no-fixed abode.
Mr Considine Kelly has been on remand in custody and Judge Comerford back-dated the sentence to October 27th last.
CCTV footage of the robbery was played to the court of Mr Considine Kelly entering the Boylesports outlet at Roslevan, Ennis at around 8pm on April 5th 2022 disguised wearing a balaclava and armed with a knife.
Judge Comerford said that Mr Considine Kelly – who pleaded guilty to a charge of robbery – was armed with a weapon “that had the potential to cause significant harm”.
Judge Comerford said that Mr Considine Kelly made “a very threatening gesture of attempting to jump over the counter”.
The traumatised manager at the Boylesports outlet on the evening in question, Killian McDermott left his job the following week arising from the incident.
Judge Comerford said that it is understandable that Mr McDermott left his job after the robbery.
In his victim impact statement, Mr McDermott stated that the aftermath “left me with some fear and took some time for the fear to go away”.
Mr McDermott stated that on the evening he was “in a state of shock” but managed to keep his wits about him.
Mr Considine Kelly had no previous convictions for this type of criminal behaviour.
Counsel for Mr Considine Kelly, Patrick Whyms BL (instructed by solicitor, Daragh Hassett) said that his client carried out the crime to pay off a drugs debt.
Mr Whyms said that at the time Mr Considine Kelly was spending €500 per week to finance his cocaine addiction and his legitimate weekly income totalled €129.
Mr Whyms stated that Mr Considine Kelly indicated the night of the robbery he handed over the €265 to people he owed for drugs.
Det Sgt Noelle Bergin said that Mr Considine Kelly “doesn’t have a current address and his family have somewhat disowned him after trying for a number of years of trying to put him on the right path”.
Det Sgt Bergin said that a Roslevan householder found clothing discarded by Mr Considine Kelly in his garden and the clothing was tested by Gardaí and Mr Considine Kelly’s DNA was found on it.
Det Sgt Bergin said that at Garda interview, Mr Considine Kelly said that he felt terrible and sorry for his actions.
Det Sgt Bergin stated that Mr Considine Kelly was “very remorseful and couldn’t believe he could wave the knife like that and put the man in fear”.
Mr Whyms stated that Mr Considine Kelly’s descent into very poor behaviour was as a result of desperation for money for drugs.
Mr Whyms stated that on the day the accused has consumed three trays of benzodiazepines.
He said that Mr Considine Kelly’s motivations were from his financial difficulties from drug taking.
Mr Whyms said that his client “had no intention to harm anyone”.
Mr Whyms stated that his client is “very remorseful” and “is very sorry for what he has done”.
