A DRUG addict, who stole £1,000 from the third bank he tried within minutes, has been jailed for four years by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Jason Byrne (23), of St Teresa's Gardens, Dublin, had previously served a six year sentence. He pleaded guilty to stealing £1,000 from the National Irish Bank in O'Connell Street, Dublin, last August 10th, using an imitation gun.

Mr Paul Hatton, senior counsellor for the Coolmine Induction Centre, said Byrne seemed to be making a real effort this time to get away from drugs.

At the earlier hearing, Judge Moriarty praised the bravery of Garda Marcus DeLong, who was unarmed when he chased and caught the defendant after being alerted by a passer by.

The court heard that Byrne first fled from the Bank of Ireland on Ormond Quay when a staff member pressed a panic button. He then walked to the AIB Bank, Capel Street, but again ran off when a security guard became suspicious.