Man jailed for six years for attempted robbery at home of postmistress

A man who was part of a group dressed in boiler suits that attempted to break into the home of a postmistress has been given a six-year sentence.

Derek White (aged 24), with an address at Cappagh Drive, Finglas pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and attempted aggravated burglary at Collins Place, Finglas on December 2, 2009.

Judge Tony Hunt imposed a six-year sentence on White but suspended the final three years on strict conditions.

Two co-accused also received six-year sentences for their roles in this offence on previous occasions.

Anthony Gleeson (aged 25) of Valeview Drive, Finglas, had the final two years of his sentence suspended; while Jason Farrell (aged 18) of Wellmount Crescent, Finglas had the final year of his sentence suspended.

Garda Ronan Reilly told Mr Garret Baker BL, prosecuting, that the postmistress of the local branch was working one morning when a male she knew as “Anthony” approached her.

He began talking to her, saying things such as “I see you are on your own” and “this is a handy number, you only live up the road.” She found this suspicious and it made her anxious.

The following morning at 7.30am she heard a knock on the letter box of her home and when she looked out into the garden she saw a number of people dressed in white. She recognised one of them as “Anthony.”

Her partner shouted to her that the people appeared to be armed and told her to go into a bedroom. He rang gardaí and the individuals in boiler suits walked off.

Gardai searched the area and found face masks discarded in bins as well as a sawn off shotgun in a sports bag. They spotted three men nearby acting “jumpy and agitated” and they were arrested.

White, who has 51 previous convictions, denied all knowledge of the offence during interview.

Gda Reilly with Mr Luigi Rea BL, defending, that the background to this offence appeared to be related to a debt he owed which has since been cleared by a relative.

Mr Rea said White had got off to a good start but a “lack of self control” had led him into offending.

He said he now lives with his partner and was anxious to be a good role model for their young child.