Jailed for attempted robbery with syringe
A 26-YEAR-OLD man who attempted to rob a Ferns music store while in the possession of a syringe has been handed a six-year prison sentence.
Matthew Connick, of Sandycorner, Ballinaclash, Kilmuckridge, pleaded guilty at Wexford Circuit Criminal court to the possession of syringe while attempting to rob Davitt’s Music Store, Ferns, on January 23, 2016.
He also pleaded guilty to causing €200 worth of damage to a glass window at the Parochial House, Ferns, on January 22, 2016, property of Fr. Patrick Cushen. He also pleaded guilty to attempting to rob John Gethings at Mace supermarket, Ferns, on January 19, 2016, and with stealing a chocolate bar from the Mace store during the same incident. He also pleaded guilty to the possession of a breadknife at Mace supermarket.
Garda John Cleary told the court that the defendant entered Mace supermarket in Ferns with a breadknife and wearing a balaclava. In relation to Davitt’s Music Store he entered the premises at 11.30am, produced a syringe and demanded money. At the time a member of staff was in the shop. He also caused damage to the window of the Parochial House in Ferns.
Garda Cleary said the defendant was later arrested and conveyed to Gorey Garda Station where he made admissions. He was fully co-operative during the investigation. No money has been paid in relation to the criminal damage. The defendant, he said, is a heroin addict and has a number of chil- dren. He also has 48 previous convictions.
Defence Counsel John Griffin said it was the defendant’s first time before the Circuit Court. He was very co-operative with the gardai admitting his role in all of this. He said that it was quite a poor attempt at a robbery and that he is trying to deal with his drug addiction. He is drugs free in the Midland Prison at the moment.
Judge Barry Hickson told the defendant that he had to accept responsibility for all of this. Like many others he has come to court with a heroin addiction, adding, that these are most serious offences, with the appropriate sentence being six years.
In relation to the attempted robbery at Davitt’s Music Store he imposed a six-year prison sentence, with the final two years suspended for a period of five years. He was further sentenced to three years in prison for possession of a breadknife; three years in prison for possession of a syringe, and six months for the criminal damage to window. The remaining matters were taken into consideration. All the sentences are to run concurrently.