A Finglas man, who took part in a robbery 10 years ago during which one of the gang was shot dead, has been remanded in custody for sentencing by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Joseph Cooney (38), Dunsink Drive was himself shot in the stomach by armed gardaí who had surrounded Tara Post Office in Dunshaughlin, Co Meath, on November 6th, 1992. He was released from hospital after treatment for a minor injury and arrested. He had been carrying a bag with cash and postage stamps when shot.
Robert McGrath (26), Finglas Place, was shot dead by armed gardaí after he pointed a sawn-off shotgun at them when he emerged from the post office with Cooney and a third man, The third man was Brian Carey, also of Finglas, whom the court was told is still at large, as is the driver of the get-away car who eluded capture at the time.
Cooney, married with two young children, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a sawn-off shotgun and three cartridges on November 6th, 1992. He had previous convictions for robbery, larceny, burglary and malicious damage.
Mr Luigi Rea BL, defending, submitted that Cooney's guilty pleas were entered on the grounds that he took part in a joint enterprise but he was not the raider carrying the gun. He played the lesser role in the robbery at a time when he was a heroin addict. Mr Rea said Cooney had now dealt with his drug problem. He worked in England and had lived in dread of "the knock on the door" for this offence. He was arrested after coming to visit his ailing father because his mother's death in his absence preyed on his mind.
Sgt Larry O'Rourke, Dunshaughlin, told prosecuting counsel, Mr Dominic McGinn BL, that Cooney was on temporary release from a six-year sentence at the time and absconded abroad while on bail during District Court proceedings in the post office robbery case.
Sgt O'Rourke said the Tara Post Office staff became suspicious when a man visiting the premises on November 5th, 1992, shortly after official inspectors had been there, seemed to be noting where the money was being placed. His appearance and the registered number of the van he drove were noted.
Gardaí found this vehicle had been hired in Dublin and further inquiries led to armed gardaí taking up position around the post office on the fatal day.
The raiders arrived shortly after 10:00 a.m. One remained in the car and three went into the premises where the sawn-off shotgun was pointed at staff. They were unable to open the safe because of its time-lock and ran out having grabbed £1,100 in petty cash and stamps valued at £2,169.
Judge Michael White remanded Cooney in custody until today for sentencing.