Man responsible for 'chilling' robberies to be sentenced

A man who committed robberies which his own defence counsel described as "chilling" will be sentenced on June 20, 2005 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

George Murray (aged 26), of Drumheath Grove, Mulhuddart, pleaded guilty to armed robbery at "Eurospar" shopping centre in Hartstown on August 21, 2002 during which he threatened a secondary school girl with a hammer.

He also pleaded guilty to robbery and two counts of false imprisonment of two college students at Clifden Court Apartments on Ellis Quay as well as arson of a stolen vehicle at Wellview Avenue, Mulhuddart on May 30, 2003.

Garda Oliver Hackett told Mr Bernard Condon BL, prosecuting, that Murray was one of four raiders who entered the "Eurospar" in Hartstown in August 2002. He was armed with a hammer while an accomplice threatened staff and customers with a sawn-off shotgun.

Garda Hacket said the victims were "in fear of their lives" as the masked men took €1,240 from tills in the shop. Murray went to the off-licence section with his hammer and kicked the two females working behind the counter, one of whom was a school girl, as he took money from the till.

Garda Hacket told Judge Joseph Matthews that three girls who worked in the shop refused to return to work after the raid. Another received counselling and medication for anxiety.

Detective Garda Frank Tracey earlier told Ms Orla Crowe BL, prosecuting, that Mr Jim Grimison and Mr Phillip McDonagh were celebrating the end of first year college exams in Dublin City Centre on the evening of May 29, 2003.

Judge Matthews heard the students met and fell into conversation with two women around the Westmoreland Street area in the early hours of the morning. They invited the women back to Mr McDonagh’s apartment on Ellis Quay.

During the walk towards the apartment the women fell behind the students and made contact with the defendant, George Murray and another man who were following.

Upon arrival at the apartment the women left the doors to the building and the apartment ajar so Murray and his accomplice could later enter.

Murray and the other man burst into the apartment after a short time and ordered Mr Grimison and Mr McDonagh to the floor. The women left as they began their attack on the students.

Det Garda Tracey said Mr Grimison, a diabetic, was hit in the face and fell to the floor. He was told to empty his pockets as a knife was placed to his throat. He heard one of the burglars shout "just shoot him" before he was tied up with a sheet and put into a wardrobe where he was trapped for a hour.

Mr McDonagh was also tied up and placed under an overturned couch during the raid of his apartment. He was able to free himself when he heard his car being started and driven away.

Murray and his accomplice made off with mobile phones, bank cards, wallets, €270 and the keys to Mr McDonagh’s car which he later set alight.

Murray and one of the women were seen leaving Mr McDonagh’s burning car at around 6.30am on May 30 in the Wellmount area.

Gardaí were able to identify the defendant from CCTV footage at Mr McDonagh’s apartment building. During interview Murray was unwilling to identify his accomplices, said he was sorry for what had occurred and hoped his victims were all right.

The two women involved, Edel McCormack (aged 25) of Kilmore West, Coolock, and Elaine Wheelock (aged 21) of Sean O’Casey Avenue, Dublin 1, were last month ordered to perform community service by Judge Desmond Hogan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

A fourth accused earlier failed to appear in court for his sentence hearing.

Judge Matthews heard that Mr Grimison, originally from Dublin, is now in America and was unable to return to the jurisdiction to provide a victim impact report.

Mr McDonagh, from the Midlands, is now afraid to go out in Dublin alone and is frightened to work in the city. He has been drinking heavily since this incident and has been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder.

George Murray has 17 previous convictions for crimes such as burglary, robbery, criminal damage, larceny and firearms offences.

Defence counsel Ms Roisin Lacey BL (with Mr George Birmingham SC) earlier told Judge Matthews her client is a heroin addict who has been using cannabis since he was 12 years old. He has two children and has completed his Leaving Certificate since entering custody.

Mr Birmingham said aspects of his client’s crimes were "frankly chilling". He said while Murray had committed offences of "great seriousness" he was also a man of "great potential".