A Co Tipperary man who admitted his role in the robbery of a man who was murdered almost three years ago has been ordered to carry out community service.
Colm Roche (19), of Garry more, Clonmel, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to conspiracy to rob Mr David Nugent (22) on the night of July 8th-9th, 1996.
Another Clonmel man, Jonathan Dennehy (18), of Elm Park, had been given a fouryear suspended sentence at an earlier hearing for the same offence.
Roche and Dennehy pleaded guilty on the third day of their trial last December.
Judge Michael White heard then that both defendants were in fear of Anthony Buck (24), also of Garrymore, who was convicted at the Central Criminal Court on February 20th, 1998, of Mr Nugent's murder.
Judge White told Roche he was heartened by his probation report, which indicated he was making a good effort to change his life.
Supt Richard Burke had told the court previously that Roche and Dennehy had no intention that Mr Nugent would be murdered when they agreed to take part in stealing money from him. He said they were very young at the time and were "in fear" of Buck who stole cash and goods to the value of £825 from Mr Nugent.