Cork man kicked out of his home over drug use jailed for 'terrifying' shopworker with imitation handgun

The defendant told Cork Circuit Criminal Court: 'This has been a complete disaster. I hope she got over the shock and she can get on with her life.'

The Centra in Broadale, Douglas, was robbed of €615 in cash on April 2. File picture: Denis Minihane

An armed raider terrified a 20-year-old woman behind the counter of a Centra shop pointing what appeared to be a gun at her and shouting: “You are being robbed, give me all the notes in the till.” 

Judge Helen Boyle said: “I have no doubt his was a terrifying experience. Shop workers are entitled to go to work and not be subjected to threats of violence.” 

 A sentence of four years and eight months with the last eight months suspended was imposed on 43-year-old Peter Mullins of Argideen Lawn, Togher, Cork, who pleaded guilty to making a threat to kill or seriously harm a woman while he carried out an armed robbery.

He also admitted that on April 2 at Centra, Maryborough Hill, Broadale, Douglas, he was in possession of an imitation handgun and carried out a robbery of €615 in cash. On the same date at Douglas Court shopping centre stole an e-bike valued €800.

Detective Garda David Shannon said that the e-bike was stolen that morning and that by 6.30pm he turned up at the Centra armed with the imitation handgun as well as an imitation taser and what appeared to be pepper spray. That turned out to be hairspray.

After issuing the threat to the young woman behind the counter he pointed what appeared to be a small handgun at her and told her to open the till.

“He cocked the gun to frighten her. He also produced what looked like a taser. She was frightened he would hurt her. He turned to the customers in the shop and threatened, ‘Any one of ye tell on me I will hurt ye.’ 

“He made full admissions to the offence. He also made admissions to being an addict. The 20-year-old girl working there that day, it has affected her but she was extremely happy she did not have to give evidence in a trial,” Det. Garda Shannon said.

Defence barrister, Niamh Stewart, said: “He is a chronic heroin addict. He was on (heroin substitute) Suboxone. He wanted to get off heroin. The firearms were toys.

He had been kicked out of home because of his drug use and he was sleeping rough in Cork City. He has never dealt with his addiction through residential care.

Peter Mullins got into the witness box at Cork Circuit Criminal Court and said to Judge Boyle: “This has been a complete disaster. I hope she got over the shock and she can get on with her life. If I had a few bob I would give her compensation.

“I apologise to my family for bringing them shame. I don’t condone any of my actions. I fell victim to the streets – not nice, not nice. I know I am going to get a custodial sentence, just a bit of leniency please.”