A man has been sentenced to 12 years for carrying out a €1.2 million jewellery heist at Dundrum shopping centre.
Ian Maloney (24) and an accomplice entered the store dressed as builders, ordered staff and customers against a wall at gunpoint and filled a binbag full of watches and jewellery before escaping.
The court heard the store found it difficult to continue trading after the loss and closed soon afterwards.
Judge Gerard Griffin said he had to take into account the fear the staff were put in and the amount stolen.
He sentenced Maloney to 12 years with the final two suspended. He also backdated the sentence to when Maloney went into custody last year.
Maloney, of Cashel Road in Crumlin, had pleaded not guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery, possession of a 12-gauge Farasqueta CIA shotgun and possession of a sawn-off shotgun at Paul Sheeran Jewellers in Dundrum Town Centre on September 3rd, 2008.
He entered a guilty plea to the robbery charge on day-six of his trial which was accepted by the State. The prosecution did not proceed with the weapon possession counts.
Gda Nigel Burke told prosecuting counsel James Dwyer BL, that Maloney and another man entered the store at about 8.10pm. Maloney was armed with a sawn-off shotgun and ordered staff and customers against the back wall.
He said to the people, “don’t worry, nobody’s going to get hurt.” One staff member later told gardaí his voice seemed young, nervous and non-threatening.
The other man used a crowbar to prise open a cabinet and empty its contents into a bag. Both then escaped through a nearby fire escape and fled the scene in a stolen red Suburu car.
The car was found by gardaí a short time later with the gun and builders’ outfits inside. The weapon was found to be rusty and unloaded.
Investigations led gardaí to Maloney and a search of his house revealed the keys to the stolen car. He was arrested on September 15th. He was interviewed four times but refused to assist gardaí.
An identification parade was held and three people who were present in the shop identified Maloney as one of the raiders.
Gda Burke said the jewellery was never recovered and the store found it difficult to continue trading after the loss. When the recession started, it was forced to close.
The court heard Maloney has 71 previous convictions, all for more minor matters which were dealt with in the District Court.
Defence counsel, Mr Michael O’Higgins SC, said Maloney’s brother had died in Garda custody in May 2003 which had a "profound and damaging impact on his psyche".
Mr O’Higgins said Maloney’s family "crumbled" after his brother’s death and his client turned to drink and drugs which led him to committing crimes.
Counsel said Maloney now has a child and partner which has had a positive impact on him. He said he wanted to apologise to the staff and customers for the raid.