Drug addict jailed for attempted robbery

A 30-year-old drug addict who attempted to rob a Lucan shop and threatened the owner with an imitation handgun has been given a six-year sentence with the final two years suspended.

Jason Hannigan, of Harelawn Park in Clondalkin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to attempted robbery and possession of an imitation firearm at Centra in Balgaddy on January 12, 2008.

Judge Tony Hunt, in giving a summary of the evidence, said the owner of the shop noticed people hanging around outside.

The shop owner heard shouting and then a man came into the shop with a silver imitation gun in a Tesco bag. The owner of the shop feared he was going to be shot.

Hannigan ordered the owner to open the till and hit him with an iron bar several times.

The owner pressed the panic button and ran next door. Hannigan fled from the shop and ran into a house nearby where he was trying to change his clothes.

He admitted to gardaí that he was very drunk and his motive for the attempted robbery was to get money for drugs.

“He was not sophisticated in the planning or execution of the robbery and it was a very frightening event,” said Judge Hunt.