A raider who threatened pub staff with a lump hammer was restrained and held by customers until the gardai arrived, Dundalk Circuit Court was told yesterday.
Paul Maguire (23), of Rathmullen Park, Drogheda, Co Louth, bought a bottle of whiskey in The Thatch on February 25th, 1997, and drank most of it in his home. Later that night he decided to rob the pub, got the hammer and put on an anorak with the hood pulled down to cover his face.
At about 11.30 p.m. he jumped the counter in the off-licence section and held the hammer over the head of a barman. He shouted at him to open the till and stole £780 in cash and cheques. The barman activated the panic alarm and alerted other staff.
Garda James Burke, Drogheda, said the pub was full as Maguire attempted to cross the counter to escape and he was confronted by a number of customers, one an off-duty soldier. They struggled with him, he dropped the hammer and was restrained until the gardai arrived. The money was recovered, he made a statement admitting the crime and pleaded guilty in court.
Mr Derek Kenneally, defending, said Maguire had sought professional help after the incident and had been diagnosed as suffering from a severe psychotic illness, a mild mental handicap as well as drug and alcohol dependency. He had since married and moved to Cork, and his wife was pregnant.
Judge Patrick Smith remanded him in custody for sentencing tomorrow.