Twelve and nine-year terms for house attack

Two men who smashed their way into a milkman's house and robbed him have been jailed for 12 and nine years for assault and robbery…

Two men who smashed their way into a milkman's house and robbed him have been jailed for 12 and nine years for assault and robbery.

Mr James Mahon was stabbed when the two raiders entered his home at Clifden Park, Shankill, Co Dublin on April 9th 1999 with a gun and a baseball bat.

Michael Tyndall (42), a father of three from Fitzgerald Park, Du'n Laoghaire, was jailed for 12 years and Derek O'Toole (39), a former Dún Laoghaire Corporation employee from Rathsallagh Park, Shankill was given a nine year sentence.

Tyndall has a total of 47 previous convictions for robbery and criminal damage and O'Toole has 11 previous convictions for assault, robbery and aggravated burglary.

READ MORE

They were convicted on March 9th after a 12-day trial at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge Patrick McCartan commended Mr Mahon for his bravery and the gardaí for bringing two dangerous convicts before the court.

Mr Mahon used a bottle to defend himself when O'Toole attacked him with a baseball bat. He was later stabbed by Tyndall. Mr Mahon said the raiders got away with £450.

Mr Mahon told prosecuting counsel Mr Maurice Gaffney SC he pulled a balaclava off O'Toole and recognised him.

Mr Mahon and his partner Ms Georgina Finn later identified Tyndall at an identity parade in the yard of Shankill Garda station.