An axe wielding man who emerged from a graveyard clad in a dark clothing to rob a nearby petrol station in Co Kerry has been given a four year sentence.
The Circuit Criminal Court heard staff at Kelliher’s Garage in Rathass, Tralee were left traumatised on January 27th, 2016 when Emmet Coffey came in and smashed their cash register and shouted “empty your pockets and the tills”.
Coffey (40), of Bruach na hAbhann, Tralee, was wielding “a long-handled axe”, had a scarf over his face and his hood pulled up.
Staff managed to press the panic button and alert gardaí who gave chase and arrested Coffey near the graveyard and recovered the €1,102 he had taken. Coffey pleaded guilty to burglary.
Barrister Richard Liston, defending, said none of his client’s 25 previous convictions involved violence. He was on methadone treatment and had been visiting the grave of his recently deceased brother before the incident.
He met others who were visiting the grave of a friend and they began drinking in the graveyard.
Tablets
Judge Thomas E O’Donnell heard Coffey consumed a half bottle of vodka and a handful of tablets before the robbery.
Psychiatric and psychological reports handed into court stated he had suffered serious abuse in a residential school and came from a tragic background.
“It is clear the accused faces difficult personal challenges,” the judge said.
He also noted Coffey was a father of three, had co-operated with gardaí and was remorseful and pleaded guilty.
However, the judge said a weapon was used, violence was threatened and property was damaged.
Judge O’Donnell said four years was “the appropriate tariff” but he suspended the final 18 months, during which time Coffey is to be supervised by the Probation Service.
Mr Liston said his client was deeply sorry for what happened and drew “a blank” when asked to recall it fully.