Gunman got away with pizza instead of cash after threatening to shoot delivery man, court hears

Tom Tuite

A masked gunman threatened to shoot a food delivery man in Dublin but got away with a pizza instead of cash, a court has heard.

Robert Lynch, of no fixed abode, was charged with attempted robbery on June 22nd at Clarehall Shopping Centre car park, Dublin 17, and unlawful possession of a hinged knife with a four-inch blade as an offensive weapon at the time of his arrest on Thursday.

He was denied bail when he appeared before Judge Cephas Power at Dublin District Court on Friday.

Garda Jordan Martin, Coolock station, objected to bail due to the seriousness of the offence.

Citing the strength of the evidence, he alleged that the attempted armed robbery took place at 3.10 am when a lone male approached an Apache pizza at Clarehall Shopping Centre, and spoke to one of the delivery drivers sitting in a vehicle outside.

The contested bail hearing was told that he then "produced a firearm from his jacket pocket, pointed it at him and demanded he hand over any money."

It was claimed Mr Lynch told him, "He would shoot him if he didn't hand over any money."

The driver then offered to go into the pizzeria to get cash.

Garda Martin said the accused allegedly told the driver he would send another man into to collect.

Garda Martin stated Mr Lynch walked to a nearby underground car park to speak to another male who then went into the pizza restaurant for the money.

He reportedly told workers he had been sent over by his friend with the gun.

Garda Martin said the staff told him, "They had no money to give but would give him some pizza."

It was alleged that man accepted two pizzas, exited and gave one of them to the accused who left the area.

The court heard that the driver told gardaí the man who approached him had a gun, and that what appeared to be a firearm could be seen on CCTV evidence.

Garda Martin agreed with defence solicitor Eoin Lysaght that an ID parade was not held, and it happened around a car park, but stated there were not many people in the area at that time.

He also conceded that no firearm was recovered.

Mr Lynch made no admissions on arrest and has yet to enter a plea. The court also heard he was not awaiting trial for any other offences.

Judge Power remarked that the case would likely go forward to the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers, but stressed the accused had the presumption of innocence, and he noted the defence had exposed issues in the case.

However, he refused bail and remanded Mr Lynch in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on August 14th for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Legal aid was granted.