A man who tried to rob a shop was later caught by gardaí in a pub where the shopkeeper had suggested he go to for cigarettes.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court has heard David Burns (27) was carrying a partially concealed knife when he told a shop worker to give him money. But he had “a change of heart” when this woman’s manager came out to the counter. He told the manager that he was joking about the knife and that he just wanted to buy cigarettes. When Burns left, the manager rang gardaí who arrested Burns shortly afterwards as he was leaving that pub with a six-pack of beer, which he had not paid for.
The court heard that Burns, of Maple House, North Circular Road, could not be interviewed immediately because he was drunk. He pleaded guilty to attempted robbery of the Spar Shop in Swords on October 29th, 2011. Judge Mary Ellen Ring ordered a report from the Probation Services to see if Burns is suitable for community work or a restorative justice programme.