A MAN wearing a balaclava who was carrying an imitation gun and a knife on the Dublin road in Dundalk intended to rob motorists, Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court has been told.
Brendan Carragher (20), Drumcar, Dunleer, told gardai he intended to stop the traffic and rob the people in the cars.
Garda Darren Kirwan, Dundalk, said a number of reports were received on April 4th, 1996, about a man standing on the Dublin road wearing a balaclava and wielding a knife. He was trying to hold up traffic. As a Garda car pulled up at the scene the defendant had run away, dropping the imitation firearm and knife he said.
He was arrested under Section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act and during his detention admitted having the gun and knife with the intention of robbing the people in the cars. He also intended to rob people at the Fairways Hotel, Dundalk.
In his statement to gardai Carragher said he owed money as a result of a drug problem.
Carragher is serving a sentence for other crimes committed around the same time but intended to marry when he was released, Mr Kevin Seagrave, defending, said.
The defendant told Judge Patrick Smith he had been stupid and was sorry for what he had done. Judge Smith remanded him in custody for sentencing next Friday.