A Wexford drug addict has been jailed after robbing a fast food restaurant because he needed money to get home after he had just been mugged himself.
Robert Chamberlain (29) was in the midst of a relapse into drug use at the time but has since taken steps to address his addiction and described the incident as his “biggest regret ever.”
Chamberlain, of Hazelwood, Gorey, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery of Apache Pizza, Bachelors Walk on July 18th, 2011. He has 17 previous convictions. Judge Martin Nolan imposed a three-year sentence but suspended the final 18 months.
Detective Garda Damien Egan told Garret Baker BL, prosecuting, that Chamberlain had demanded money from a staff member, who had a syringe held to his neck.
Elizabeth Davey BL, defending, said that Chamberlain had been attending Wexford substance misuse team since last November