A MAN who threatened shop staff with syringes during robberies has been jailed for five years by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Aidan Fitzgerald (21), of Shangan Green, Ballymun, pleaded guilty to raiding three shops in Dub in city centre and a video store in Drumcondra between January 12th and 19th, 1996, taking £650.

Judge Gerard Buchanan said Fitzgerald must have known the consequences of his actions as he had a 1993 conviction for assault with intent to rob.