A Finglas man who took part in the robbery of a jewellers' shop has walked free from court with a three-year suspended sentence.
Aaron Black (23) was among a gang of four raiders who threatened staff in the Balbriggan shop with a claw hammer, smashed display cases and stole €15,370 worth of jewellery.
The men were arrested a short time later after they were spotted travelling down the M1 motorway in a taxi while changing their clothes.
Black identified himself on CCTV footage to gardai and apologised to the shop owners, the taxi-driver and the people of Balbriggan.
Black, of Finn Eber Court, Finglas, Dublin 11, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbery of Goldsmith jewellers, Drogheda Street, Balbriggan on May 10, 2013.
Judge Mary Ellen Ring sentenced Black to three years in prison but suspended it in full on condition that he keep the peace for three years.
She noted that Black was described in a probation report as at moderate risk of re-offending, but said he has cooperated with probation services and has not come to adverse garda attention since the robbery.
Judge Ring said Black is now employed and claims to be free of drugs, although his doctor did not provide confirmation of his drug-free status.
Seamus Clarke BL, defending Black, said his client's family had raised €1,000 to compensate for the damage caused. The court heard that the estimated economic loss to the jewellers was €2,800, including loss of business.
Mr Clarke said Black was the “muscle” brought in to carry out the job, while the other accused men were the ringleaders.
Black’s eleven previous convictions include convictions road traffic offences.
Gary Duddy (22) of Barnamore Park and Joseph Richards (23), of St Canices Square were both previously sentenced to four years in jail for their roles in the robbery.
At their sentencing, Judge Ring suspended the final two years of Duddy’s sentence, taking into consideration his prior clean record.
She also suspended the final two and a half years of Richard's sentence.
