Enniscorthy man gets five years for knifepoint robbery at ATM

AN ENNISCORTHY man has been jailed for five years for robbing his victim at knifepoint at an ATM in the town.

Dean Kenny (24), of 13 Lower Church St, Enniscorthy, pleaded guilty to robbing Brady Coleman of €300 at Ulster Bank, Rafter St, Enniscorthy, on April 9, 2017.

He also pleaded guilty to possession of a knife on the same date when he appeared before Judge Cormac Quinn at Wexford Circuit Criminal Court.

Det Garda Darren Coleman told the court that Barry Coleman, an Australian, was visiting the town with his Irish girlfriend for her mother’s birthday.

On the day in question, the couple had left the Riverside Hotel and were walking towards Castle Hill when they were confronted by two men. One of the men demanded money but when Mr Coleman said he had none, one of the men held a knife to his head, forcing him to the ground and assaulting him in the process.

Det Coleman told prosecuting counsel Ms Sinead Gleeson that the victim was forced to walk to the Ulster Bank ATM on Rafter Street, forcing him to withdraw €300. CCTV footage showed the defendant, Kenny, holding the knife at the ATM, said Det Coleman.

The defendant, said Det. Coleman, was stopped a short time later by another garda, who knew his clothing and where he had come from, having checked with the CCTV footage.

The defendant’s home was searched the fol- lowing day when the knife was found.

The money, said Det Coleman, was never recovered, while the defendant showed no remorse at the time.

He said the victim, Brady Coleman, made a statement to gardai in which he said he was scared for his life. He received a mark on his neck form the knife, a black eye and bruising to his knee.

At the time of the incident, the defendant, said Det. Coleman was living at home. He had 16 previous convictions dating back to March, 2012.

Defence Counsel Ms Roisin Lacey told the court that on the night, CCTV footage was uplifted from a number of premises in the area. The accused was clearly identified, due to his distinctive clothing along with the hat he wore. The hat, she said, was located at the defendant’s mothers house, adding, that drink and misuse of drugs would have contributed to his problems.

The defendant, she said, was at one stage actively involved in hurling, football and soccer. However, problems with the excessive consumption of alcohol and drugs has led to difficulties. He offered a complete and unreserved apology, she said, and is genuinely remorseful for his behaviour.

‘This was a violent robbery with a weapon,’ said Judge Quinn, adding that a custodial sentence was appropriate. He imposed a five year sentence on the robbery offence, backdating the sentence to June 20, 2017, the date he was taken into custody. He took the second charge into consideration.