A man who received £14,000 for his role in an armed robbery of a city-centre casino was given a five-year suspended sentence after he repaid £10,000.
Michael Byrne (36), of Theresa's Road, Rialto, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbing the Colossus gambling club in Montague Street on October 8th, 1999. He has 15 previous convictions.
Det Garda Tom Savage told Mr Fergal Foley, prosecuting, that the club management calculated a loss of £15,630 due to the robbery.
He said none of the stolen money had been recovered and Byrne earned £14,000 for his role in the crime.
Mr Breffini Gordon, defending, pleaded with Judge Yvonne 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. Jailing him would have severe consequences on his family.
Byrne's co-accused, Raymond Cowzer (28), of Rutland Grove, Crumlin, was given a two-year sentence on February 20th.
Det Garda Savage said that during the robbery the two men removed some security videos, but overlooked three others. They were identified from those videos.