Man who threatened to cut the hearts out of a shopper’s wife and children avoids a jail term

By Claire Henry and Fiona Ferguson

A man who assaulted a security guard and threatened to cut the hearts out of a shopper’s wife and children has been given a suspended 18-month sentence.

Alan Rooney (54) of Stillorgan Wood, Stillorgan, Dublin, pleaded guilty to charges of theft, threats to kill, threatening abusive behaviour, breach of the peace, assault causing harm and entering a private kitchen and taking a kitchen knife at various locations within Dundrum Town Centre, on September 18, 2022.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that a man shopping in Dundrum Town Centre was approached by Alan Rooney, whose disposition gave him “concern”.

The shopper, who had his dog with him, had a brief conversation with Rooney, who then said: “I will come and find your wife and children in their home and cut their hearts out”.

Garda Kevin Keogh of Dundrum Garda Station told Derek Cooney BL, prosecuting, that after threatening the shopper, Rooney then ran into the kitchen of Gourmet Burger.

He ran towards the grill and went to grab a yellow-handled kitchen knife.

The manager of the restaurant hit his arm, and he ran from the kitchen and down the escalator.

Gda Keogh said a security guard tried to stop Rooney and caught up to him outside of the shopping centre.

Rooney struck the security guard five to six times and tried to get him on the ground.

More security guards came to assist.

CCTV footage of the altercation was played to the court.

A group of youths also arrived at the scene and could be seen striking Rooney.

Rooney was arrested, and the yellow-handled knife was seized.

A picture of the knife was handed into the court.

The court heard that the security guard received medical attention and suffered from pain for a week.

Gda Keogh agreed with Michael Bowman SC, defending, that the youths who got involved “inflamed the situation”.

The garda agreed with counsel that “it is clear that he (Rooney) has underlying issues”.

Mr Bowman said his client works six days a week in construction, and on the morning of the incident, he had been visiting the grave of his childhood sweetheart.

He said Rooney had also found out that he was adopted as a child.

Counsel said Rooney had lost a number of people important to him and suffers from depression, anxiety and social avoidance.

He lives a solitary life and works long hours, the court heard.

He said what transpired on the day was a “tipping point” after a chance encounter and was escalated by the intervention of others.

He said Rooney felt a deep sense of shame at the events.

Rooney has 25 previous convictions, including public order, theft, assault, and road traffic offences.

He also served a 10-year prison sentence in the UK for a robbery offence and was released in 2000.

Passing sentence, Judge Orla Crowe said it was an unusual case starting with Rooney taking issue with a man with a dog, whom he did not know.

She said the nature of the threat was extraordinary in the circumstances, followed by an escalating series of events.

She said it was entirely unedifying for someone of his age to behave in this way for no apparent or good reason causing upset and harm to the injured parties.

She noted his background personal circumstances at the time outlined in a psychological report and that he was assessed as at moderate risk of reoffending.

Judge Crowe noted he was employed, in a prosocial environment where he was making progress in relation to his own wellbeing and attending psychological services and counselling.

Judge Crowe imposed an 18 month sentence which she suspended in full for three years on condition including that he remain under probation supervision, engage with addiction services and carry out offence and victim-focused work as directed.