Suspended term for robbery and takeaway thefts

A DUBLIN man who robbed a bookmakers armed with a replica gun and who stole two pizzas and a Chinese meal has been given a two-year suspended sentence.

Ian Madden, aged 37, of Moatview Avenue, Coolock, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two counts of theft and one of robbery.

Garda Daniel Nolan told Judge Yvonne Murphy that, on May 3, 2010, he received a complaint from an Apache pizza delivery man that a customer had refused to pay for two pizzas and two bottles of cola.

Garda Nolan told prosecution counsel, Martina Baxter BL, that Madden ordered the food to be delivered to a neighbouring address and, on receiving his order, fled to his own apartment in the same complex.

Garda Nolan said that the following night Madden committed an almost identical offence, this time stealing a Chinese meal.

On this occasion, the delivery man gave chase and observed Madden entering his own home.

When questioned by gardaí, Madden made full admissions to the two counts of theft, and also confessed to his role in the robbery of €150 from Hacketts Bookmakers in Santry on April 26, 2010.

Garda Nolan agreed with Michael Hourigan BL, defending, that the gun used in the robbery was a replica and that Madden was “extremely intoxicated” at the time of all three offences and had little memory of events.

Garda Nolan agreed with Mr Hourigan that Madden was now a different man who was “very sorry” for his actions which could in large be attributed to his alcoholism and his use of anti-depressants.

Mr Hourigan told Judge Murphy that Madden has “turned his life around” and was now sober and had fully engaged with rehabilitation services.

Passing sentence, Judge Murphy said she acknowledged Madden’s “Trojan” efforts in tackling his alcoholism and sentenced him to two years, suspended in full for two years.