A heroin addict who held a knife to the throat of two taxi drivers before making off with their takings has received a three-year sentence.
David Locke (25), of Ramilies Road, Ballyfermot also robbed a college student on a bus of his wallet containing £100 cash, various cards and a £25 shopping voucher.
He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to four counts of robbery between September 22nd and October 24th, 1998. He has over 20 previous convictions.
Judge Yvonne Murphy said there was a recommendation in the probation report that Locke be released from custody to attend the Bridge Project and she suspended two years and three months of the sentence to take into account the time he had already spent in custody.
"These were very bad offences to have committed because they were premeditated and involved the use of a knife," she said.
"Taxi drivers have a dangerous job out at night trying to make a living but I do note that these offences were committed at a time when Mr Locke was in the throes of a heroin addiction but has since made great strides in dealing with that," she added.