A heroin addict who was convicted for killing a neighbour's baby when he was 14 has had his sentence for a robbery spree adjourned by Judge Frank O'Donnell.
Derek O'Keeffe (22), single and unemployed, of Derry Park, Crumlin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to 31 charges of robbery, attempted robbery and assault. Det Garda Tom O'Dwyer told prosecuting counsel, Ms Orla Crowe, that O'Keeffe had committed 18 robberies and four attempted robberies in the area of outer Rathmines and South Richmond Street between July 29th and August 6th last year.
He said O'Keeffe had 13 previous convictions, one of which was for manslaughter when he stabbed a neighbour's child after he had been drinking. He was only 14 years old at the time and spent four years in Trinity House for the offence.
Det Garda O'Dwyer said the spree of robberies involved him threatening both young and elderly victims with a syringe for small amounts of money. On one occasion he pricked a male shop assistant on the right index finger with a syringe, though tests later proved negative for any disease. On another occasion he shouted "Open the f...ing till. I want money" at a female shop assistant and threw chocolates at her.
Defence counsel, Mr Paul O'Higgins SC, said the accused had suffered and his family was deeply distraught after the manslaughter incident. He had not received any counselling afterwards, and this could have contributed to his later crimes.
Mr O'Higgins said O'Keeffe was "totally out of control" when he committed the robbery crimes. He has also been in prison since the end of August in relation to another robbery.
Judge Frank O'Donnell adjourned sentence until May 14th.