Saturday 31 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. 17934Robbery · Co. Louth · 3 May 2020

Man jailed for robbery at Dundalk student's apartment

On 3 May 2020, a 17-year-old Malaysian student was robbed in his apartment at Mourneview Hall, Dublin Road, Dundalk, by Alan Bird (32) and a housemate who forced their way in. Alan Bird later admitted a single count of robbery. At Dundalk Circuit Court, a report published on 13 March 2024 gave the sentence as two years and nine months, while another account gave five years and three months with the final two and a half years suspended. The sentence was backdated to 27 November.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced13 Mar
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Alan Bird and a housemate forced their way into the apartment of a 17-year-old Malaysian student.
  • The co-accused hit the victim in the face and knocked him to the ground.
  • Alan Bird wore a ski mask and searched for money he claimed a flatmate owed.
  • The stolen items were a laptop, a Nintendo Switch, a MacBook Air and €250 in cash.
Where
The robbery took place at Mourneview Hall, Dublin Road, Dundalk.
When
The incident occurred on 3 May 2020, around midnight.
Charges
Alan Bird admitted a single count of robbery.
In court
  • The victim gave a victim impact statement at Dundalk Circuit Court describing lasting fear and paranoia.
  • Alan Bird had 23 previous convictions, including burglary and assault causing harm.
  • The judge assessed Alan Bird as now at moderate risk of re-offending, previously high.
Sentence
  • Sources differ: one says Alan Bird was jailed for two years and nine months at Dundalk Circuit Court, while another says the sentence was five years and three months with the final two and a half years suspended on supervision by the Probation Service for 12 months post-release.
  • The sentence was backdated to 27 November to allow for time spent in custody.
Other details
  • Alan Bird said he had been struggling with mental health problems during lockdown.
  • Alan Bird apologised to the victim in a letter read to the court.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatThe accused and a housemate forced their way into the apartment of a 17-year-old Malaysian student. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe co-accused knocked the victim to the ground after hitting him in the face. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatAlan Bird wore a ski mask and searched for money he claimed a flatmate owed. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whatThe stolen items were a laptop, a Nintendo Switch, a MacBook Air and €250 in cash. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whereThe robbery took place at Mourneview Hall, Dublin Road, Dundalk. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • whenThe incident occurred on 3 May 2020. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • chargeAlan Bird admitted a single count of robbery. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe victim gave a victim impact statement describing lasting fear and paranoia. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtAlan Bird had 23 previous convictions, including burglary and assault causing harm. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • courtThe judge assessed Alan Bird as now being at moderate risk of re-offending, previously high. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceAlan Bird was jailed for two years and nine months at Dundalk Circuit Court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was five years and three months, with the final two and a half years suspended on supervision by the Probation Service for 12 months post-release. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • sentenceThe sentence was backdated to 27 November to allow for time spent in custody. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherAlan Bird said he had been struggling with mental health problems during lockdown. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)
  • otherAlan Bird apologised to the victim in a letter read to the court. (dundalkdemocrat.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 13 Mar2024
    Sentenceddundalkdemocrat.ie, first report
    Dundalk cout: Man jailed for robbery

    Court report on the sentencing of Alan Bird for a robbery in May 2020. No matching existing case in the list.

    convicted, Alan Bird, 32, male, named, irish (judged from name)Alan Birdvictim, 17, male, Malaysian, non-irishaccused, male