‘Bookies robber threatened to kill woman in carjacking’

41-year-old allegedly stole €1,490

A MAN accused of threatening to kill a woman while hijacking her car and falsely imprisoning her after the alleged robbery of a bookies went on trial yesterday.

Trevor Byrne, 41, was in court after an order was made in September transferring his trial from the Circuit Criminal Court to the Special Criminal Court.

He was charged with five offences in 2011 arising out of an armed robbery at Boylesports in Swords, North Dublin, the previous year.

He is accused of robbing €1,490 off James Robertson at Boylesports, Applewood Village, on March 19, 2010, and of possession of a firearm with intent to commit robbery on the same occasion.

He is also charged with seizing a vehicle by threat of force and falsely imprisoning Helen Leigh at nearby Thornleigh Avenue the same day.

Byrne is further charged with threatening to kill her at an unknown location between Thornleigh Avenue and Kilshane Cross in Co Dublin that day.

The accused, of Cappagh Road, Finglas West in Dublin, denies all charges.

Prosecuting barrister Shane Costelloe said that it is the State’s case Byrne and another male went into the bathroom of Boylesports at around 5.40pm that day and stayed there for approximately 35 minutes.

Mr Costelloe said the pair then emerged brandishing firearms, “causing everyone to take cover”.

He told the court there was then “an interaction” with Mr Robertson, an employee and the two men, which ended in €1,490 being handed over. He said the pair left by the rear, leading them on to Thornleigh Avenue, where they jumped in front of Ms Leigh’s car with “what appeared to be firearms” and got in, taking her with them.

The trial continues before Mr Justice Michael Mcgrath, Ms Justice Sinead Ni Chulachain and Ms Justice Marie Keane.

It is expected to last up to two weeks.