Bank robber nabbed after fall from roof
A 30 year-old man who broke into a Bank of Ireland branch in Blanchardstown via a open window and stole more than €40,000 will be sentenced later at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Judge Katherine Delahunt said she was surprised and startled at the ease with which Damien Gargan managed to gain access to the bank. She heard that the open window was due to an error by a member of staff.
Gargan, of Glasson Lodge, Prospect Wood, Longford pleaded guilty to the theft of approximately €40,415 from Bank of Ireland, Main Street, Blanchardstown on July 18, 2006.
Garda Michael O’Hanlon told Caroline Biggs BL, prosecuting, that Gargan had gone to Blanchardstown with a crow bar in his bag with the intention of burgling a business premises because he needed money.
He saw an open window at the side of the bank and was unable to resist temptation. Garda O'Hanlon agreed with Luigi Rea BL, defending, that Gargan was living in a hostel at the time and suffered from a long-standing drug addiction.
Inside the bank, Gargan came across a bank bag containing €40,000. He took the bag and left but fell a number of times while trying to climb railings and negotiate the roof.
Gardaí were called to the scene by a witness who reported seeing an intruder trying to leave the building. They found Gargan lying where he had fallen from the roof. All stolen money was recovered.
Judge Delahunt heard Gargan had recently moved to Longford with his partner who is expecting their child. He had three previous convictions for robbery, theft and handling stolen property.
Garda O’Hanlon said that the manager of the branch had delegated security to the bank’s porter and another employee who had locked up that night.
Judge Delahunt remanded Gargan on continuing bail and adjourned sentencing to allow for a Probation Service report to be completed.
