Cork gambler under pressure to pay loan sharks carried out armed robbery at garage

Accused owed €20,000 to loan sharks arising out of a gambling debt, court heard

Accused was given a two-year fully suspended sentence. Picture: Larry Cummins 

A 50-year-old gambler under pressure to repay loan sharks carried out an armed robbery at a garage threatening to kill a young man behind the counter if he did not hand over cash.

Judge Colin Daly gave Conor Murray, of 37 Avoncore Place, Midleton, Co Cork, a fully suspended two-year sentence at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Detective Garda Michelle Quinn testified she was on duty at 7.40pm on the Friday evening of September 25, 2021, when she responded to an alarm call about a robbery at Texaco garage in Knockgriffin, Midleton.

A 19-year-old working part time at the garage said a man arrived at the garage armed with a knife and threatened to kill him if he did not hand over cash from the tills. When some money was handed over, he made a further threat for money to be given to him from another cash register.

Detective Garda Quinn confirmed that after the robbery: “The defendant was picked up in a Jaguar car. And he discarded his clothing as he made his getaway.” 

Defence barrister Jeff Hitchmough said: “The probation report sets out the reasons for this offence. He was in a severe financial situation. He owed €20,000 to loan sharks arising out of a gambling debt. He was at work and imminent threats of violence were made to him if he did not get money to repay his debts.

“He left work immediately and took part in this haphazard robbery. He wakes up daily feeling sick for what he has done. He says he is not a thug and abhors violence.

“He said in a letter to the victim: ‘I don’t know if I am worthy of forgiveness’ but expressed his total apology. He has managed to stop gambling and has gone ‘cold turkey’ so to speak.

“He has offered €700 compensation [to the proprietor of the garage] Violence was threatened but not used.” 

Mr Hitchmough added the gambling debt has now been paid off. He stressed at the time of the robbery, he was under extreme pressure to repay these gambling debts and that the offence was not carried out for personal profit.