An armed robber who attacked a shopkeeper with the butt of a replica handgun has been jailed for three years.
Lee McDonnell (21) struck the victim to the back of the head during the robbery. Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that McDonnell has 74 previous convictions.
He was previously sentenced to four years in jail for the hijacking of a car and is before the courts on two other matters. McDonnell pleaded guilty to possession of an imitation firearm with intent to commit robbery at Sarsfield Service Station, Ballyfermot, Dublin, on January 21st, 2012.
He also pleaded guilty to robbery of cigarettes and a sunglasses case and to robbery of Tadas Urbanavicius, the shop assistant, on the same occasion.
Judge Martin Nolan imposed a six-year sentence but suspended the last three years for three years. He said he did this mainly because of McDonnell’s young age.