Man jailed for robbing meat and impersonating a garda

A repeat meat thief who later pretended to be an undercover garda during a robbery has been jailed for four years.

Conor Kirwan (27) stole 11 pieces of corned beef during one robbery and later stole three legs of lamb from a supermarket in the hopes of selling it on the street for drugs.

In another incident, Kirwan pretended to be an undercover garda and made his unsuspecting victim take off their shoes and socks before he ran off with €30 in cash, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard.

The court heard that Kirwan used to work at a meat factory.

Kirwan with an address at Balbutcher Lane, Ballymun, Dublin, pleaded guilty to robbing around €137 of corned beef at Supervalu, Finglas on June 16th, 2020.

He also pleaded guilty to one count of one count of robbery and one count of impersonating a garda at Eden Quay, Dublin City centre, on September 28th, 2020.

In relation to the lamb incident, he pleaded guilty to one count of producing a syringe at Dame Street on January 3rd, 2021. A count of theft from Dunnes Stores on George’s St, Dublin was taken into account.

Passing sentence on Monday, Judge Melanie Greally said all the offences were opportunistic and directly linked to his addictions at the time.

The judge said Kirwan was homeless arising from his addiction and stealing to fund his habit. She noted that since going into custody he has taken some positive steps in terms of addressing his addiction.

Judge Greally sentenced Kirwan to six years imprisonment, but suspended the final two years of the sentence on strict conditions.