Knife-wielding duo jailed for attack on students

A group of students were terrorised by two young men who held knives to their throats and chests as they robbed them of cash and mobile phones.

Garda Caroline Keogh told Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday that even though there were only two assailants, they robbed a group of six students at Devonshire St, Cork. One of the students was so frightened that he suffered a panic attack at the scene.

Four-year jail sentences were imposed on the 21-year-old culprits, with parts of the terms suspended.

Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin said: “This is definitely a very alarming type of case where two men armed with knives attacked six students. Robberies of this kind, if not on the increase, they are certainly a constant in the diet of crime coming before the courts.

“It is alarming that young men go out in the night with knives and use them to threaten people and rob them. Both men were jointly and equally involved and there was a particular viciousness in the way they set about the group.”

Both defendants got four-year sentences. Thomas Foley, of 20 Brandon Crescent, Dillons Cross, had the last year suspended. Adrian Murray, of 3 Courtown Park, Knocknaheeny, had the last two years suspended.

They were each sentenced on six counts of robbery and one count of carrying a knife at Devonshire St on March 13.