A man who threatened customers and staff with a knife while robbing a credit union was sentenced to four years in prison yesterday. Last June James O'Flynn of Togher, Cork, who was wearing a balaclava and brandishing a knife, jumped over the counter in the Lough Credit Union offices. He grabbed money and cheques worth over £3,500 and ran out the door.
He also admitted robbing his local shop, the Wilton Stores, where the staff knew him, stealing a handbag, and taking over £100 from the Elmvale Stores.
Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard that he had psychiatric problems and preferred jail to hospital. Judge Patrick Moran recommended that he receive whatever medical care he needed for his psychiatric condition.