Two jailed over 'Pennies from Heaven' robbery

Two men have been jailed over the armed robbery of  €132,000 from the Pennies from Heaven charity in December 2002.

Two men have been jailed over the armed robbery of  €132,000 from the Pennies from Heaven charity in December 2002.

Derek Jennings (19), from Greenfort Gardens, who pleaded guilty to armed robbery on December 6th, 2002, was given a four-year sentence. He has 10 previous convictions.

James Collins (19), from Harelawn Avenue, who paid €1,000 for £5,000 sterling, was jailed for two years, and Philip Orr (25), from Rowlagh Gardens, received a two-year suspended sentence.

Judge O'Donnell noted that Collins with 55 previous convictions "hadn't learnt his lesson".

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Both Collins and Orr pleaded guilty to the possession of stolen coins valued at IR£5,000 and £5,000 sterling on December 12th, 2002.

The money, in pound and sterling coins, was stolen by an armed gang after they overpowered and tied up two security staff members at the Pennies from Heaven lock-up in Clancy Barracks, Islandbridge, in December 2002.

Pennies From Heaven was set up in 1999 to collect Irish currency around the time of the euro changeover. More than €7 million was raised for 11 charities, including Focus Ireland, Barnardo's, Concern and the Irish Cancer Society.