A Dublin man who attempted to rob a bookies he had earlier lost money in has been given a four year suspended sentence.

Luke O’Connor (25) from Cherry Orchard, Ballyfermot pleaded guilty to attempted robbery of Boyles Sports, Park West at Dublin Circuit Court on March 31^, 2014.

After his arrest O’Connor initially denied committing the attempted robbery but when shown CCTV he admitted it was him. He said he had lost money in the bookies earlier that day and was under pressure.

The cashier at the Boyles Sports said that at first he thought it was a joke when he heard someone shouting “put the money in the bag” because it didn’t seem serious.

He looked up and saw a man holding a tea towel to his face and pointing a gun at him. The cashier then retreated to the staff toilets where he pressed the panic alarm and called gardai.

Garda John Barrett said O’Connor was stopped after gardai in the area were told of the robbery but as he was not wearing clothing matching the description given he was let go. He gave his real name and address and was arrested later that night at his home after Gardai viewed CCTV footage.

O’Connor told the gardai that the gun was a pellet gun his nephew had left in his house but it was not recovered when they searched the canal where his scarf, gloves and hat were found.

The cashier said he was traumatised by the incident and has since found other work as he experienced anxiety upon return to the shop.

O’Connor has no previous convictions and the garda noted that it was unusual for someone with no criminal past to decide to commit such a crime.

Judge Martin Nolan said it was “very hard to imagine what inspired” O’Connor. He said that he was taking into account his good standing in his community where he works with youths.

He said O’Connor had terrified the cashier and intended to do so by taking an imitation firearm into the shop.