Robber wanted cash for his date
Sean Powell, aged 23, was arrested after gardaí spotted his getaway car outside a house. He was found hiding in a bedroom wardrobe when officers saw his feet sticking out from underneath the clothes in the closet.
He was considered unfit for interview for four hours after his arrest because he was so intoxicated.
Powell later made admissions to gardaí, saying he robbed the shops because he was going “to bring my girlfriend out for Valentine’s”. The court heard the couple, who have one daughter, got engaged last week.
Powell, of Wellview Park, Ladyswell, Dublin 15, pleaded guilty to robbery of Eurospar and Carry Out Off-License, both in Hartstown Shopping Centre, on January 27, 2014. He has seven previous convictions.
Judge Martin Nolan accepted that Powell made admissions and was “a reasonably good man” when not abusing substances. He also acknowledged his efforts to rehabilitate.
He said he didn’t think a custodial sentence could be avoided and sentenced Powell to two-and-a-half years. He suspended the final 18 months on strict conditions .
Garda Alan Barry told Cormac Quinn, prosecuting, that Powell took cash from the till in the Eurospar while the cashier was getting his change after he tried to buy cigarettes. He ran out and when the assistant manager followed him, Powell produced a knife to scare the man off. Powell later escaped in an Alfa Romeo.
Five minutes later Powell went into the off-license, produced a knife, and threatened to stab the worker if he didn’t hand over cash. He took €375 and a bottle of whiskey before he ran out.
Garda Barry said Powell was “a pleasant young man to deal with as long as he isn’t under the influence”.
He agreed with Alice Harrison, defending, that Powell said he couldn’t remember the three days prior to the robberies as he had been drinking and taking drugs.
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