A man has been given an eight month prison sentence after pleading guilty to robbery at a Chinese restaurant in Kinnegad last year.
Jason Cleary of 74 Riverside Lawns in Kinnegad was one of two men who jumped the counter at the Golden Phoenix restaurant on Main Street on June 25 last at 8.40pm.
The men were armed with a lump hammer and a screwdriver and took a red money box which the owners say contained around €1,000.
Garda Philip Casserly told the court that Cleary was questioned following an investigation and €45 was recovered in a follow-up search.
Cleary, who is currently serving an 11 month sentence, has 16 previous convictions for a variety of offences, including failing to appear in court, possession of a weapon, public order, and theft offences.
Mr Robert Marren said the 21-year-old had experienced difficulties since his mother began seeing a new partner and his relationship with him was “fractious”.
Most of the trouble in his past had resulted from this and Cleary eventually became an unwelcome guest at his own home because of the “tempestuous relationship” and lived a nomadic existence, involved in petty crime.
He and his friend had wanted money for drinks for a party on the night of the incident and said they spent most of the €360 which he says was in the box on drink in Enfield, which they subsequently drank at a GAA pitch.
Cleary had left school at 14, Mr Marren said, and added that he was studying for his Junior Cert and using the gym while in custody.
“He’s a young man who has lost his way,” he said as the judge imposed the eight month sentence which will run at the same time as the one he is currently serving.
