Prison for man who robbed bookies

A DUBLIN man who robbed a bookies around the corner from where he lived all his life has been jailed for one year.

Paul Kenna, aged 49, of Annamore Drive, Cabra, in Dublin 7, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the robbery of Ladbrokes Bookmakers, Cabra, on July 26, 2008.

Detective Garda John Brady agreed with defence counsel Pieter Le Vert BL that Kenna was “highly intoxicated” at the time of the robbery.

Mr Le Vert told Judge Martin Nolan that Kenna and his accomplice, who was visiting from Britain, had been drinking heavily prior to the offence, which he argued “had an air of ridiculousness”.

Garda Brady told Vincent Heneghan BL, prosecuting, that the other man entered Ladbrookes brandishing an imitation firearm and demanded cash from a terrified and “hysterical” staff member.

He then fled with €176 and handed the money to Kenna who was “keeping sketch” outside.

Mr Le Vert asked Judge Nolan to take into consideration the fact that Kenna was the sole carer for his elderly father, who is an alcoholic, and that prior to the offence, he had not come before the courts since 1993.

Mr Le Vert said that since his guilty plea in April of this year Kenna had been in custody in Cloverhill prison and was “making good use of his time” as a painter and decorator.

Judge Nolan said that Kenna was a man he had “some hope for” and sentenced him to one year, backdated to April.