Addict jailed for threatening guard with syringe
A drug addict who was disarmed by a security guard who he had threatened with a syringe has been given a three years sentence by Judge Desmond Hogan at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Stephen Devine (aged 27), of Harelawn Avenue, Clondalkin pleaded guilty to producing a syringe at The Square Shopping Centre in Tallaght on 22 February 2005.
Garda Grainne O'Carroll said Devine was in the Centre with his girlfriend when he was asked to leave by security guards. He became agitated and called them names before he produced a syringe, telling one of the guards: "I'll give this to you."
The guard grabbed his arm and twisted it around his back making him drop the syringe and detained him until gardai arrived.
Devine was searched and found to be carrying two syringes and a knife which he said he carried for protection because of a dispute over a drug debt.
Judge Hogan noted Devine has 33 previous convictions for robbery and is currently serving eight years in consecutive sentences but he said the offence, while serious, is "on the lower end of the scale."
He suspended the final year of the sentence for two years on conditions he seeks medical treatment for his addiction.
Devine was jailed for four years by Judge Katherine Delahunt on May 9, 2007 for eight robberies which included three on the same shop in 2006. Judge Delahunt ordered that the sentence run consecutive to a four-year term being served by Devine and suspended the final two years on conditions.
