Thug who robbed OAP avoids jail

A FATHER-of-three who robbed an elderly man of €2,500 outside a bank has received a suspended sentence.

Alan Behan, 27, targeted pensioner Robert Lynch, then aged 87, in August 2016 while suffering a ‘manic episode’, the court heard. Detective Garda Kevin O’Shaughnessy told Maddie Grant BL, prosecuting, that Mr Lynch visited a Bank of Ireland ATM in Walkinstown, south Dublin, on the day in question and withdrew €2,500. As the elderly man was walking back to his car, Behan appeared and grabbed hold of him, demand- ing he hand over the money.

As Mr Lynch struggled to protect the cash in his pocket, he fell to the ground before Behan made off with the money. Mr Lynch was extremely afraid during the incident and suffered a small cut to his arm, but has made a full recovery, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.

He did not wish to make a victimimpact statement, Garda O’Shaughnessy said.

Behan was identified by gardaí on CCTV footage and arrested a few months after the offence.

He has 17 previous convictions, including dangerous driving, drink driving, aggravated burglary, criminal damage and assault.

Behan, of Benmadigan Road, Drimnagh, Dublin, pleaded guilty to robbing the cash from Mr Lynch on August 26, 2016.

James Dwyer SC, defending, said his client was extremely remorseful and had asked gardaí if he could apologise personally to Mr Lynch prior to the case being heard. This was arranged at a previous court date and Mr Lynch had accepted Behan’s apology with ‘incredible graciousness’, the court heard.

Mr Dwyer said Behan had €600 in court to compensate Mr Lynch and had vowed to pay back all the money he robbed. The court heard Behan has been living in temporary hostel accommodation with his partner and three children.

He suffers from significant mental health issues, including anxiety and bipolar disorder, Mr Dwyer said.

Medical records were handed into court which said Behan was suffering a ‘manic episode’ and was ‘not of sound mind’ at the time of the robbery. He had not taken his medication and was under the influence of cannabis and other drugs at the time, the court heard.

In the letter of apology, Behan said he was sorry for his actions and ‘disgusted’ at himself. He said he thinks about the robbery of Mr Lynch every day. ‘I wish I could take it back,’ Behan wrote. ‘Ever since I committed this crime, I’ve tried to make up for it every day by doing good things for people.’

Judge Karen O’Connor imposed a four-year suspended sentence.