A man who got £14,000 for his role in the armed robbery of a gambling club has been ordered to repay £10,000 at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Michael Byrne (36), of Rialto, Dublin, was also further remanded by Judge Yvonne Murphy on continuing bail for sentence on May 8th. He has 15 previous convictions.
Byrne pleaded guilty to robbery at the Colossus gambling club in Montague Street on October 8th, 1999. Det Garda Tom Savage told Mr Fergal Foley, prosecuting, that the club management calculated a loss of £15,630 from the robbery. He said none of the stolen money had been recovered, and Byrne had earned £14,000 for his role in the crime.
Mr Breffini Gordon, defending, pleaded with Judge Murphy to be lenient on Byrne because he was married with four young children, had started employment and was willing to repay the money he had taken. Byrne's co-accused, Raymond Cowzer (28), of Rutland Grove, Crumlin, was given a two year sentence on February 20th.