A GARDA with a chronic drink problem who attempted to rob a convenience store with an imitation firearm while absent without leave from his job has been given a three-year suspended jail term.
Mario Boersma (39), Rosebay Drive, Forest Hill, Carrigaline, Co Cork, pleaded guilty to the attempted robbery of Kilmoney Stores in Carrigaline and possession of an imitation firearm on March 27th, 2010.
Yesterday at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Det Sgt David Treacy said Boersma went into the shop armed with a handgun and wearing a hoodie and a woollen hat pulled down like a balaclava but fled empty-handed when the female staff member shut the till.
He said Boersma was a serving garda based in Celbridge, Co Kildare, with 15 years of service but had been absent without leave for five months prior to the attempted robbery due to a chronic alcohol problem.
Boersma, who was separated, had since been dismissed from An Garda Síochána. He had attended an alcohol treatment centre before Christmas. His house had been repossessed because he was in mortgage arrears.
Judge Con Murphy accepted Boersma’s co-operation with gardaí, his early guilty plea and the difficulties he faced as a former garda. He noted the shop assistant had expressed a view she did not wish to see him jailed. He said he believed the appropriate penalty was a three-year term suspended on condition of good behaviour.