A Waterford man has been jailed for 10 years for his role in an attempted bank robbery which was foiled by gardai last January. William O'Connor was carrying a pump action shotgun when captured by gardai.
O'Connor (33), of Hennessy Road, Waterford, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a gun with intent to rob the Bank of Ireland at The Quay on January 4th, 1996.
Judge Cyril Kelly at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was told that gardai had been tipped off about a possible robbery and were on surveillance duty when they observed O'Connor and others getting into a car at Pinewood Avenue, Hillview.
O'Connor was later seen carrying something covered in plastic as he entered the bank with others. He was restrained on the ground at gunpoint and the shotgun recovered, the court was told.