Drug addict was on bail when he left shopkeeper for dead in hammer raid

A DRUG addict was on bail when he took part in a raid on a newsagents during which the shopkeeper was viciously attacked with a hammer, a court heard yesterday.

Daryl McKeon, 23, admitted attempted robbery and assault causing serious harm to Kevin Tansey, who nearly died from his brain injuries on March 18 last year.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was told McKeon and another man had their heads and faces covered when they went into Tansey’s shop in Finglas just after 8am.

Mr Tansey tried to escape but McKeon blocked the door and held him as the other man pulled out a hammer and struck the back of his head three times. CCTV played in court showed Mr Tansey, the sole carer for his wife who is blind, slumping to the ground.

He lay in a pool of blood while McKeon stepped over him to open the till. A delivery man tried to enter the shop but the other raider lunged at him with the hammer. The pair then left.

Detective Sergeant Alan Brady said McKeon, of North Cumberland Street, Dublin 1, was linked to the raid by his fingerprints.

Another suspect remains under investigation.

Prosecutor Geraldine Small said Mr Tansey suffered extensive fractures to his skull which caused bleeding on the brain. He had a seizure en route to hospital and later slipped into a comatose state.

A medical report stated his brain injury was potentially fatal and could cause disability.

The court heard Mr Tansey was the sole carer for his wife Michelle, with whom he has three children.

In a victim impact statement, Ms Tansey said she feared she would lose her husband during the days after the assault.

He pulled through but then his condition deteriorated and his mood changed to irritability.

She added his character remains altered and he suffers mood swings. Ms Tansey said: ‘The Kevin I knew was loving, caring and understanding.

‘Since the assault this has changed. Kevin is still not himself.’

McKeon’s 12 previous convictions include car theft and trespass and he was on bail at the time of the attack.

Defence barrister Aisling Kelly said her client got addicted to cocaine and MDMA and turned to crime to feed his habit.

She added McKeon pleaded guilty on the basis of joint enterprise and pointed out he did not hit Mr Tansey with the hammer.

Judge Melanie Greally adjourned sentencing until February 5 and remanded McKeon in continuing custody.

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