Judge hails pub boss who took on raider pensioner wrestled armed robber

A HAVE-A-GO hero publican who tackled an armed raider was commended by a judge yesterday.

Willie Moloney, 71, of Moloney’s Pub in Skough, Piltown, Kilkenny, said in a powerful victim impact statement that he now feels “nervous and vulnerable when locking up”.

Aaron Power, of Power Villas in Piltown, admitted attempted robbery on July 13 last year and was handed a fiveand-a half-year jail sentence.

Mr Moloney wrestled the thug, who was armed with an imitation firearm, to the ground before the weapon dropped and the thief fled. Mr Moloney, who has been the victim of several other robberies, told Kilkenny Circuit Court: “It is the worst incident since I got involved in the trade in 1975.

“I feel nervous and vulnerable when locking up. If I hear noises during the night I will get up and check. I didn’t do that before as I felt relaxed.

“It has impacted my daily routine and it has impacted severely on elderly customers, family and friends. The trade in the pub has been affected.”

Judge Patrick Meghen told Mr Moloney he had “acted courageously”. Garda Aidan Walsh gave evidence in the sentencing case and outlined how the pub was in a very rural area and was located at a crossroads.

He said: “They trade just in the evening and it is a local, family-run pub.

“The attempted robbery was reported at 10.30pm where staff were threatened at gunpoint and told to get on the floor.

“The owner heard a noise and came in and confronted the robber and tackled him and the gun fell to the floor and a struggle ensued.” The court heard that the two masked men, who had entered the pub, fled following the scuffle.

Mr Moloney told gardai after hearing a commotion he “came out fast to the bar”. He added the man “had something in his hand, it looked like a gun”.

The publican said: “In the height of desperation I wrestled him.”

Power, who has two convictions in the UK, was arrested the following day and admitted his involvement in the raid.

Defence counsel said he regrets his actions and wrote to Mr Moloney expressing his remorse.