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.

Byrne, of Saint Aongus Crescent, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to robbery and false imprisonment of an American tourist at Burger King, Grafton Street on May 25, 2008; also robbery and production of a syringe at McDonalds, Dundrum Town Centre on May 26, 2008.

Judge Katherine Delahunt said she "could not underestimate the sheer terror and horror" of Byrne's victims.

Judge Delahunt imposed a five-year sentence but suspended the final 15 months on strict conditions.

Garda Ciara O'Sullivan told Mr Michael Bowman BL, prosecuting, that Byrne held the syringe to the throat of a male American tourist in the gents toilets of Burger King while he and an accomplice robbed him of his wallet.

The following day Byrne held a syringe to the face of a young mother with a two-year child as she exited a cubicle in the ladies toilets of McDonalds, Dundrum.

Byrne told her: "Hand over your f***ing handbag and dont shout", before escaping with an accomplice.

The woman told gardaí that Byrne and his accomplice had been sitting at a table across from her in the restaurant before following her and her son into the ladies toilet.

Defence counsel, Mr Luigi Rea BL, said Byrne had began dabbling in drugs at a young age but has been addressing his addiction since he went into custody last May.