Judge gives accused second chance
A chronic alcoholic who staggered up with his accomplice to a security van a second too late to rob a big cash collection has been given a chance by Judge Elizabeth Dunne to sort himself out.
Paul Corrigan (aged 31) of Millbrook Avenue, Kilbarrack smashed the hammer he carried as a weapon against the window of the Brinks Allied security van and when the head flew off, so did he while dumping his mask and the hammer into a waste-skip.
He was arrested 30 minutes later with a flagon of cider in his hand and admitted he had intended to rob the cash because he needed the money for drink.
Corrigan pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to having a weapon at Kilbarrack Industrial Estate with attempt to rob on July 2, 2001.
Detective Garda Dan Quinlan was praised by Judge Dunne for what she called his "great compassion" in driving Corrigan to his first appointment in the Stanhope Street alcohol abuse treatment centre.
Judge Dunne said the case merited a custodial sentence but in view of all the evidence she had heard she was willing to play her role in giving him a chance to show he was making a genuine effort to turn his life around.
"Alternatively, if he prefers I can give him a long custodial sentence", she said and remanded him on continuing bail to October 10 next.
Det Gda Quinlan told prosecuting counsel Ms Marie Torrens BL that Corrigan and his accomplice had followed the Brinks security man who collected the cash from the Iarnrod Eireann station at Howth Junction and walked to the van.
The would-be robbers arrived just a second after the money was safely deposited in the van. Video and personal identification showed they were staggering and Corrigan said after his arrest that he was out of his mind with drink.
Det Gda Quinlan agreed with defence counsel Mr Cormac Quinn BL that Corrigan began drinking heavily when his father died eight years ago. His parents were both alcoholics and his brother died tragically three weeks ago due to drug abuse.
Det Gda Quinlan also confirmed to Mr Quinn he had driven Corrigan to Stanhope St for his first appointment and had told him he was now on his own.
Mr Quinn submitted that the court should give Corrigan this one chance to sort himself out. He was the father of two children by his former partner who trusted him to remain sober while he looked after them. If he didn't take this chance, the court could deal with him adequately.
