A man on armed robbery charges, who stabbed a barman while on bail, has been jailed for a total of 10 years by Judge Elizabeth Dunne at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Gerard Creighton (31), with an address at Captain's Road in Crumlin, pleaded guilty to armed robbery on December 30th, 1996, and to assault causing grievous harm on February 10th, 1999.
Defence counsel Mr Luigi Rea said Creighton had a severe cocaine and alcohol addiction at the time. He took part in the armed robbery because he was supporting two families and money was a difficulty. Mr Rea added he had since turned his life around.
Judge Dunne said both offences were serious enough to warrant substantial sentences but there were mitigating factors which had to be borne in mind.
However, she felt she had no option but to impose consecutive sentences because the assault was committed while he was on bail for the armed robbery charge.
Judge Dunne added she would give Creighton some hope with a review in July 2002. Det Garda Richard Kelly told prosecuting counsel Mr Fergal Foley that Creighton was part of a threeman masked gang who entered James's Street Post Office at 6.50 a.m. on December 30th, 1996, armed with sawn-off shotguns.
Det Garda Kelly said Creighton kept watch, although he was reported to have held the gun to the chest of one worker while the other two men raided the strong room. They took £12,000 in cash. Creighton was arrested some days later when he made a cautioned statement admitting his part. He said he had money difficulties and was paid £1,000 for his role in the robbery. He also said he burned his balaclava and gloves and threw the imitation firearm he used into the Liffey.
Det Garda Tim Daly said the assault occurred outside the Barrel Inn in Summerhill, where Creighton had been drinking for most of the day.
He upset other patrons by making offensive actions and comments towards a woman and was removed forcibly from the premises. When he returned home he noticed he had received some injuries in the process and picked up two knives before returning to the pub in "a froth of rage". Creighton was refused entry to the pub and began to make a scene.
This prompted staff to investigate and in the ensuing fight he stabbed Mr Raymond Collins (31) from Cashel Road in Crumlin twice in the lower abdomen. Gardai arrested Creighton following a struggle. Det Garda Daly said Mr Collins had to undergo emergency surgery for his injuries and had only recently returned to work. He had two further operations since the incident.