Man with 189 previous convictions jailed for 4 years for targetting same pharmacy twice

By Fiona Ferguson

A robber with 189 previous convictions who twice targeted the same pharmacy has been given a seven year sentence with the final three years suspended.

Robert Clinch (43) told the court in a letter that he wants to rehabilitate and change his life.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Clinch, a long time drug addict, was previously released during Covid with no supports and within hours, had broken into a McDonalds restaurant to make himself food and steal cash.

Clinch, of Millbrook Grove, Kilbarrack, pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery of a pharmacy in Coolock on dates in February and July 2023.

Passing sentence yesterday, Judge Elma Duffy noted the same shop and the same victims had been targeted twice.

She said Clinch knew the consequences of this offending for himself and his victims.

She noted he had been described as being a pathetic figure doing what he needed to do to get his next fix.

She took into account that he wants to change his life and has been motivated to engage with services and become drug free while in custody.

She told him that no matter what is put in place for him on his release, at some point he must be the person who has to break the cycle.

Judge Duffy imposed consecutive sentences totalling seven years and suspended the final three years on strict conditions, including assessment by the probation service prior to release.

Garda Alan Davis told Patrick Jackson BL, prosecuting, that in the first robbery on February 16, 2023, Clinch entered the store through security doors as another customer was leaving.

His whole face was covered and he was armed with a knife.

He asked staff to open the till and took €150.

He also took approximately 300 tablets and warned staff not to touch the panic button.

He said sorry before he left he scene. Staff were left shocked and scared by the incident.

Gda Davis said on July 4, 2023, the same staff were working, when one of them saw a fellow outside “looking dodgy.”

She saw him roll a black beanie down over his face and knew he was going to rob the store.

He banged the security door with his shoulder to force it open and used a rock to prevent it closing.

Staff activated the panic alarm.

Clinch asked them why they had pressed the panic button and ran to the dispensary where zimovane and other tablets were put into a bag.

While the staff member was doing this, he leaned over and took her phone

Gardai were able to identify Clinch on CCTV and trace him on footage walking to and from his home before and after the robberies.

He was arrested and made denials.

The court heard Clinch was a drug addict who was committing offences to feed his habit.

Marc Thompson BL, defending, told the court that after a previous sentence, Clinch had been due to have supports on his release but as he was released during Covid, these supports were not available.

He said on that occasion within hours of his release he had “resorted to the only way of life he knew” and broken into a McDonalds.

Counsel said Clinch has been addicted to drugs since a very young age and spent a significant amount of time in custody.

He handed in a letter to the court from Clinch outlining that he wanted to change his life and rehabilitate.