THE getaway driver for an attempted armed bank robbery has been jailed for six years by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Anthony O'Connor (30), single and unemployed, from Windmill Avenue, Dublin, pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a gun with intent to rob, attempted robbery and unlawful possession of a car on January 4th, 1996.
He was a member of a gang whose plan to rob the Bank of Ireland at Merchant's Quay Waterford, was foiled by gardai.
Judge Cyril Kelly said he would review the sentence on January 22nd, 1999, for the purpose of admitting him to drug counselling if O'Connor was drug free.
Last May a 10 year sentence was imposed by Judge Kelly on William O'Connor (33), of Hennessy Road, Waterford, who pointed a loaded pump action shotgun at detectives when trying to escape the Garda trap.
Det Garda Gerry Lynch said the O'Connors were not related but had met in prison. Anthony O'Connor had 11 previous convictions, including one for rape.
Det Garda Lynch said that as a result of confidential information, gardai had a house at Pinewood Avenue, Hillview, under surveillance from January 3rd. The gang was seen carrying out a dummy run on the bank shortly after 10 a.m. on January 4th.
The witness told Mr Denis Vaughan Buckley SC, prosecuting, that gardai saw Anthony O'Connor, William O'Connor, and another man not yet dealt with in court getting into a car at 11.15a.m. It was kept under surveillance.
The car arrived near the Bank of Ireland at about 11.30 a.m., and William O'Connor and the third man walked to the rear entrance. Anthony O'Connor remained in the car.
Det Garda Lynch said William O'Connor was armed. When they entered they were confronted and captured by armed gardai.
Anthony O'Connor was arrested at the car and has been in custody since. Mr Michael Feehan SC, defending, said his client was a heroin addict at the time.