Syringe-wielding addict given five years

A drug addict who wielded a syringe while robbing a young mother with a toddler and an American tourist in the toilets of separate fast food restaurants has been given a five-year sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Thomas Byrne (aged 29), who has 31 previous convictions, pointed the syringe at his terrified victims during the robberies but was arrested after being identified by gardaí on CCTV footage from the two fast food outlets.