The pillion passenger on a motorcycle which was driven straight into a restaurant kitchen during a failed breakfast-time robbery has been jailed for three years by Judge Frank O'Donnell in the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Dominico Vella (25), single, unemployed, of Dungaloe, Fortunestown Lane, Tallaght, pleaded guilty to unlawful imprisonment of Mr James Brogan at the Coachman's Inn, Cloghran, near Dublin Airport on April 18th, 1997. He also admitted possession of a firearm, and the unauthorised taking of a motorcycle with intent to rob on the same occasion. He had previous convictions.
Det Garda Denis O'Leary told prosecuting counsel, Mr Roger Sweetman, the gang tied up and blindfolded staff members at 8 a.m. The masked gang were armed with knives and an air rifle and ordered four staff members to the back of the kitchen where they tied them up. A fifth staff member and a delivery man were also detained inside.
He said the gang had been seen entering the Coachman's Inn by a civilian who alerted gardai. The gang left in panic using a motorcycle and a car.
Det Garda O'Leary said both Vella and a co-accused, Gary Bryan (23), Killtalawn, Tallaght, were arrested after crashing their motorcycle a short distance from the inn.
Bryan was jailed for three years on December 16th, 1998, for his part in the crime.