A single father of four has been jailed for six years for his role in the theft of a Dublin parish's church collection. Kevin Gorman was on release under probation supervision from a 4 1/2-year sentence when he and other masked raiders robbed Father Michael Geaney and a group of elderly parishioners who were counting the money in St Malachy's Boys National School, Edenmore.
Gorman (23), from Glin Road, Coolock, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to having an imitation firearm with intent to rob and to allowing himself be carried in a stolen car on December 2nd, 1996.
Garda Joseph Kealy said Father Geaney and several of his helpers, who were nearly all in their 70s, were locked in the school with a threat that it would be burned down. The robbers had escaped with £980.
Garda Kealy said Gorman and his accomplices drove to Ballymun in a stolen car and were seen by gardai carrying out drugs surveillance to enter a flat. When gardai went to the flat Gorman and others were found there with the money.
Mr Luigi Rea, defending, said Gorman intended to marry the mother of his children when that was possible. His original sentence was reactivated as a result of this crime and he had remained drug-free since weaning himself off heroin following his return to prison.
Mr Rea handed in a two-page letter written by Gorman to the judge and said his client was now "older and wiser". While the 1996 attempt at releasing Gorman had not worked out, things were now in place which could be advantageous for him in the future.
Judge Cyril Kelly said he had read the letter but noted that the probation service reported making little or no progress with Gorman in relation to this offence.