A widower and father of five who escaped from Garda custody on three occasions, prompting major manhunts, was jailed for eight years yesterday for his part in a robbery of a post office in Farran, Co Cork.
Niall Fitzpatrick (34), of Ballinderry Park, Mayfield, Cork, pleaded guilty to four charges, including possession of a firearm, burglary, unlawful use of a vehicle and robbery.
Det Sgt Gerry McGrath told Cork Circuit Criminal Court that Fitzpatrick was a leader of a major gang on the southside of Cork city.
He said he was involved in a robbery on Farran Post Office on December 13th, 2001.
Two men with shotguns entered the post office shortly after it opened, and attempted to break into the safe.
When this proved difficult, one of the men held a shotgun to employee Mr Kieran Gleeson's head. They managed to take £8,000 from the safe, and rushed out the door.
The raiders spotted an elderly man driving towards the post office. They terrified him by firing a shot over the roof of his car. The gang made its getaway in a car stolen from Carrigaline, Co Cork, two weeks previously.
Gardaí tracked the gang down to Dunamore, Co Cork, shortly afterwards. The men drove through rough terrain and fields to avoid arrest.
Fitzpatrick was arrested on January 3rd, 2002. He admitted his role in the robbery, and brought gardaí to a spot in Doughcloyne, Co Cork, where he had hidden the shotguns.
Sgt McGrath described Fitzpatrick as the leader of a loyal gang of followers based on the southside of the city. "He is a professional criminal with a long list of convictions. He is the leader of a gang with access to a wide array of firearms and ammunition."
He said Mr Gleeson had been left traumatised after the loaded shotgun was put to his head.
The defendant's partner of six years, Ms Michelle O'Connor, described Fitzpatrick as a "fantastic father" who had become very involved in his children's lives following the death of his wife. He has two children in the new relationship, one of whom was born just last December.
Mr David Goldberg SC, defending, said his client's guilty plea should be taken into consideration, particularly in light of the fact that his co-accused took up a week of court time with a trial.
Judge Patrick J Moran said he understood Fitzpatrick had saved the court time and money by entering a guilty plea. However, he described the Farran robbery as a "serious crime" which involved a great deal of planning.
He jailed Fitzpatrick for eight years, denying leave to appeal its severity. The sentence was backdated to February 16th.