Leon Wright remanded over knife possession and five robberies in north Dublin
Leon Wright, 36, of Swords, was remanded in custody at Dublin District Court after being charged with unlawful possession of a knife and five counts of robbery following a three-day crime spree targeting shops and a pharmacy in north Dublin, which included an armed stand-off with gardaí in Ballymun.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested9 Feb
4 reports - Charged9 Feb
2 reports - In court
- Verdict
- Sentenced
Key facts
consolidated from all reports49 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man in his 30s was arrested following a robbery in Ballymun on 9 February 2025. (garda.ie)
- whatThe man entered the store brandishing a knife, threatened staff, and removed property before leaving on foot. (garda.ie)
- whatA man entered the store brandishing a knife, threatened staff and removed property before leaving on foot. (dublinlive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whatA man in his 30s was arrested in the Sandyhill Gardens area. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatThe Armed Support Unit used less-than-lethal force to make the arrest. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatHe is detained in connection with this incident and a number of similar robberies in recent days. (dublinlive.ie)
- whatA man in his 30s was arrested following a robbery in Ballymun. (irishmirror.ie)
- whatThe man threatened shop staff with a knife before leaving on foot with property. (irishtimes.com)
- whatGardaí shot the man with a 40mm impact round, causing him to drop the knife. (irishtimes.com)
- whatLeon Wright, 36, of Applewood Gardens, Swords, was arrested following an investigation into a crime spree targeting shops and a pharmacy in north Dublin over three days. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe allegedly took cigarettes to the value of €100 at Spar on Marewood Crescent in Ballymun on Sunday. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe allegedly took €150 cash from Dealz, The Hamptons, Santry Cross, Dublin 11, on Sunday. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe allegedly raided Hickeys Pharmacy, Meakstown Finglas Dublin 11, on Saturday, where €694.31 was reportedly taken. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe allegedly raided Coolers Off Licence at Applewood Village Swords on Saturday, where €200 was stolen. (irishtimes.com)
- whatHe was also charged with robbing the same off-licence on Friday and taking €160. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThere was an armed stand-off with gardaí in Ballymun on Sunday. (irishtimes.com)
- whatWright was dressed in black and remained silent in court. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe robbery took place at a retail premises on Marewood Crescent, Ballymun. (garda.ie, dublinlive.ie, irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe arrest was made in the Sandyhill Gardens area. (garda.ie)
- whereThe suspect was arrested in the Sandyhill Gardens area. (irishmirror.ie)
- whereThe robbery took place at a shop on Marewood Crescent, Ballymun, Dublin. (irishtimes.com)
- whenThe robbery occurred shortly before 2:30 pm. (garda.ie)
- whenThe robbery occurred shortly before 2:30 pm on 9 February 2025. (dublinlive.ie)
- whenThe robbery occurred shortly before 2:30 pm on Sunday, 9 February 2025. (irishmirror.ie)
- whenThe robbery occurred just after 2.30pm on Sunday afternoon. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponThe suspect was brandishing a large knife. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationThe arrest was made in a follow-up operation involving local uniformed and armed Gardaí from Ballymun Station, supported by the ASU. (garda.ie)
- investigationInvestigations are ongoing. (garda.ie)
- investigationThe man is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. (dublinlive.ie)
- investigationThe suspect is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, in connection with this incident and a number of similar robberies in recent days. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationLess than lethal force options including 40mm direct impact munitions, Taser and OC spray were used in the arrest. (irishmirror.ie)
- investigationGardaí with Armed Support Unit support located and arrested the man in the Sandyhill Gardens area. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe suspect is being questioned in relation to a number of other similar robberies in Dublin in recent days. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeThe man in his 30s arrested in connection with the Ballymun robbery has been charged. (garda.ie)
- chargeHe is detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984, in connection with this incident and a number of similar robberies in recent days. (garda.ie)
- chargeWright is accused of unlawfully possessing a knife with a 19cm blade at Sandyhill Gardens, Ballymun. (irishtimes.com)
- chargeWright faces five counts of robbery. (irishtimes.com)
- courtHe is expected to appear before the Criminal Courts of Justice, Court no. 4, on 11 February 2025 at 10:30am. (garda.ie)
- courtWright was brought before Judge Áine Clancy at Dublin District Court on Tuesday. (irishtimes.com)
- courtJudge Clancy remanded Wright in custody to appear again on 16 February. (irishtimes.com)
- courtLegal aid was granted to Wright. (irishtimes.com)
- courtDetective Garda Fergus Burke intends to object to bail. (irishtimes.com)
- otherLess than lethal force options were deployed by Gardaí in the arrest. (garda.ie)
- otherThe incident is not connected to a serious stabbing in the Stoneybatter area. (dublinlive.ie)
- otherThe suspect has more than 100 convictions. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe suspect attacked prison officers while serving time behind bars. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe suspect spent time in the Violence Reduction Unit at the Midlands Prison in Portlaoise. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe suspect was surrounded by Gardaí armed with a weapon and extendable batons. (irishmirror.ie)
- otherThe suspect remains in custody in a Dublin Garda station. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 11 Feb2025Man arrested after armed stand-off with gardaí in court over Dublin robberies
Details the specific charges, locations and amounts involved in the three-day robbery spree, the armed stand-off in Ballymun, and the first court appearance where Wright was remanded in custody.
accused, Leon Wright, 36, male, named, non-irish (judged from name)Leon Wright - 9 Feb2025Gardaí use ‘less than lethal’ weapon to disarm and arrest man following robbery
Provides details of the arrest method (40mm impact round), the specific robbery location (Marewood Crescent, Ballymun), the time (just after 2.30pm), and confirms the suspect is being questioned over other similar robberies in Dublin.
suspect, malevictim - 9 Feb2025Dangerous criminal in Garda custody after brandishing knife in housing estate
Details the arrest, the suspect's extensive criminal history (100+ convictions, attacked prison officers, spent time in the Violence Reduction Unit at Midlands Prison), the use of less than lethal force (40mm direct impact munitions, Taser, OC spray), and that he is connected to similar robberies in recent days.
suspect, 30s, male - 9 Feb2025Man 'brandishing knife' robs shop as ASU use 'less than lethal force' for arrest
Describes the specific Ballymun robbery and ASU arrest on 9 February 2025, confirming the use of less-than-lethal force (40mm direct impact munitions, Taser, OC Spray) and linking the incident to a number of similar robberies in recent days.
suspect, 30s, malevictim - 9 Feb2025Robbery and Arrest in Ballymun, Dublin – 9th February 2025
Garda press release confirming the arrest details, including the use of less than lethal force, ASU involvement, and that the suspect is connected to multiple similar robberies in recent days.
suspect, 30s, male - 9 Feb2025Update (Court Appearance) - Robbery and Arrest in Ballymun, Dublin – 9th February 2025
Confirms the man has been charged and is appearing at the Criminal Courts of Justice, Court no. 4, on 11 February 2025 at 10:30am.
suspect, 30s, male