Thursday 29 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 11027Robbery · Co. Longford · 24 Feb 2025

Edgeworthstown man given suspended sentence for knife robbery at Longford pharmacy

On 24 February 2025 Matt Cummins (51), a man from Pairc na Habhainn, Edgeworthstown, stood in front of pharmacist Declan John Tully at Tully's Chemist, Main Street, Edgeworthstown, holding knives and demanding Pregabalin after being refused the drug. Gardaí responded to a panic alarm, and Cummins immediately admitted what he had done. Cummins pleaded guilty at Longford Circuit Court to robbery and admitted producing an article during the offence. In February 2026 the judge imposed a three-year prison sentence, suspended for three years on strict conditions including two years under Probation Service supervision, which is the latest development.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced12 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Declan John Tully, the pharmacist, was confronted by Matt Cummins, who stood in front of him holding knives and demanded the drug Pregabalin.
Weapon
Cummins drove one of the knives into the counter before leaving the store.
Where
The robbery took place at Tully's Chemist, Main Street, Edgeworthstown.
When
The incident took place on 24 February 2025.
Cause
The pharmacist refused to dispense the drug because it was not contained or renewed on the GP prescription.
Investigation
  • Gardaí responded to a panic alarm after a customer did not receive a drug collected earlier that day, and Cummins's daughter made a 999 call a short time later out of concern for him.
  • Cummins immediately admitted to gardaí what he had done.
Charges
Cummins pleaded guilty at Longford Circuit Court to robbery and admitted producing an article in the course of the offence.
Other details
  • Sources differ on the goods taken: one report says 84 Pregabalin tablets valued at €15 were robbed, while the prosecution said there was no indication of any financial loss.
  • The pharmacist said he was considering quitting his role because of the fear and terror he was subjected to, and that he has flashbacks and nightmares about the incident.
  • Cummins apologised to the pharmacist and staff.
In court
  • The judge described the incident as at the higher level of the lower end of the scale.
  • The judge took into account Cummins's lack of previous convictions.
Sentence
The judge imposed a three-year prison sentence, suspended for three years, with strict conditions including two years under Probation Service supervision.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatCummins drove one of the knives into the counter before leaving the store. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe robbery took place at Tully's Chemist on Main Street, Edgeworthstown. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe incident took place on February 24, 2025. (longfordleader.ie)
  • causeThe pharmacist refused to dispense the drug because it was not contained or renewed on the GP prescription. (longfordleader.ie)
  • weaponCummins was standing in front of the pharmacist holding knives and demanding the medicine Pregabalin. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí responded to a panic alarm after a customer did not receive a drug collected earlier that day. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationCummins's daughter made a 999 call a short time later out of concern for him. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationCummins immediately admitted to the gardaí what he had done. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeCummins pleaded guilty at Longford Circuit Court to robbery. (longfordleader.ie)
  • chargeCummins admitted producing an article in the course of the offence. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtThe judge described the incident as at the higher level of the lower end of the scale. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge imposed a three-year prison sentence, suspended for three years. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe suspension was on strict conditions, including two years under Probation Service supervision. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe pharmacist said he was considering quitting his role because of the fear and terror he was subjected to. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe pharmacist said he has flashbacks and nightmares about the incident. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThere was no indication of any financial loss, according to the prosecution. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherCummins apologised to the pharmacist and staff. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe judge took into account Cummins's lack of previous convictions. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 12 Feb2026
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    'Fear and terror': Longford pharmacy staff terrified by knife wielding robber

    Reports the Longford Circuit Court guilty plea, the victim impact statement, and the suspended sentence with probation conditions for a robbery at Tully's Chemist, Main Street, Edgeworthstown.

    convicted, Matt Cummins, 51, male, named, irish (judged from name)Matt Cumminsvictim, Declan John Tully, male, irish (judged from name)Declan John Tully