A Northern Ireland man who pleaded guilty to taking part in an attempted armed robbery of a Dublin bookmaker's office to raise funds for the Continuity IRA was given a six-year prison sentence by the Special Criminal Court in Dublin yesterday.
The final four years of the sentence were suspended after hearing Peter Damien Beacom (44), a father of two and from Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, got involved in the robbery through drink and was no longer associated with any subversive groups.
He admitted having a sawn-off shotgun with intent at Hacketts Bookmakers, Bluebell, last September 21st, and to assaulting Mr Arthur Stretch, the manager.
