Ireland Case No. 0918Robbery · Co. Offaly · 22 Oct 2025
Man remanded in custody for sentencing over Tullamore pharmacy robbery
A masked man armed with a shotgun entered McCormack's Pharmacy on Arden Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, shortly after 4pm on 22 October 2025 and allegedly took €530 in cash and €192 worth of medication, frightening staff including Annette Donlon Nestor, Nicole Cromack, Irene Macken and Marie Delaney. Philip Maguire, 37, of St Columba's Place, Tullamore, was arrested by a garda on foot patrol minutes later and charged with robbery and possessing a shotgun with intent to commit robbery. He pleaded guilty to both charges at Tullamore Circuit Court on 14 April 2026. The judge remanded him in custody to 17 November 2026 for a forensic psychiatric report before sentencing.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrested22 Oct
2 reports - Charged22 Oct
2 reports - In court7 Jan
6 reports - Convicted30 Apr
2 reports - Sentenced
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- A masked man armed with a shotgun entered McCormack's Pharmacy, threatened staff and a customer, and took €530 in cash and €192 worth of medication.
- Where
- The robbery took place at McCormack's Pharmacy, Kilbeggan Bridge, Arden Road, Tullamore, Co. Offaly.
- When
- The robbery occurred shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, 22 October 2025.
- Weapon
- The man was armed with the base of a sawn-off shotgun, later found by ballistics to be a replica in poor condition and unable to function, and also carried a knife.
- Cause
- The robber handed in a handwritten list of medications and demanded cash.
- Investigation
- A garda on foot patrol intercepted the suspect after a short foot pursuit and arrested him at 4.20pm; all stolen property and the replica firearm were recovered.
- Charges
- Philip Maguire, 37, of St Columba's Place, Tullamore, was charged with robbery and possessing a shotgun with intent to commit robbery; charges of possessing a knife and resisting a garda were to be taken into consideration.
- In court
- Maguire pleaded guilty to the robbery and shotgun charges at Tullamore Circuit Court on 14 April 2026.
- Sentence
- The judge remanded Maguire in custody to 17 November 2026 for a forensic psychiatric report before sentencing.
- Other details
- Maguire had 58 previous convictions, including a six-year suspended sentence for robbery that was in effect at the time of the offence.
- The defence said Maguire has a long history of mental illness and no recollection of the incident.
- Victim impact statements described nightmares, panic attacks and ongoing fear among staff and a customer.
116 statements extracted from the articles
- whatA man in his 30s was charged in connection with a robbery from a premises in Tullamore on 22 October 2025. (garda.ie)
- whatA masked man armed with an apparent firearm entered the pharmacy and threatened staff. (garda.ie)
- whatThe man left the scene with cash and medical products. (garda.ie)
- whatAn armed robbery took place at a pharmacy near Tullamore town centre. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatGardaí arrested a suspect following an armed robbery at a Midlands pharmacy. (longfordleader.ie)
- whatA masked man armed with an apparent firearm entered a pharmacy and threatened staff. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatMaguire is alleged to have robbed €530 cash and medication worth €192. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatA man is accused of robbing a pharmacy in Tullamore. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatCash and medication worth €192 were allegedly taken. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatIt is alleged that €530 in cash and €192 worth of medication were taken in the robbery. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatMaguire pleaded guilty to robbing €530 cash and €192 worth of medication at a pharmacy. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatA man robbed McCormack's Pharmacy in Tullamore and left with €530 cash and €192 worth of medication. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whatThe man frightened staff and a customer and left with €530 cash and €192 worth of medication. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe robbery took place at a pharmacy in Tullamore. (garda.ie)
- whereThe pharmacy is on the Arden Road near the Kilbeggan bridge. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe robbery took place at a pharmacy on Arden Road, near Kilbeggan bridge in Tullamore town centre. (longfordleader.ie)
- whereThe robbery happened at a pharmacy in Tullamore. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe robbery took place at McCormack Pharmacy on Arden Road, Tullamore. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe robbery allegedly took place at McCormack Pharmacy on Arden Road, Tullamore. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe alleged robbery took place at McCormack Pharmacy, Kilbeggan Bridge, Arden Road, Tullamore. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whereThe robbery took place at McCormack's Pharmacy in Kilbeggan Bridge, Tullamore. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe robbery occurred shortly after 4pm. (garda.ie)
- whenThe robbery happened just after 4pm. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe incident happened just after 4pm on Wednesday, 22 October. (longfordleader.ie)
- whenThe robbery happened on Wednesday, 22 October 2025, shortly after 4pm. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe man entered the pharmacy at 4.16pm. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe robbery happened on 22 October 2025. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe robbery is alleged to have happened on October 22, 2025. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe robbery allegedly took place on October 22, 2025. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe alleged offences were committed on October 22 of the previous year. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe robbery took place on October 22. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe robbery took place at about 4.10pm. (offalyexpress.ie)
- whenThe robbery happened when a pharmacy technician manager was dealing with customers at 4.10pm on October 22. (longfordleader.ie)
- causeThe robber handed in a handwritten list of medications and demanded cash. (offalyexpress.ie)
- weaponA firearm was recovered. (offalyexpress.ie)
- weaponA firearm was recovered after a short foot pursuit. (longfordleader.ie)
- weaponThe weapon was an apparent firearm, later recovered as a replica. (offalyexpress.ie)
- weaponA shotgun was pointed at staff and a customer. (offalyexpress.ie)
- weaponThe man pointed the firearm at a member of staff and sought drugs and cash. (offalyexpress.ie)
- weaponThe CCTV footage showed a man holding a gun in the pharmacy. (offalyexpress.ie)
- weaponIt is alleged he had a shotgun with intent to commit robbery and also had a knife. (offalyexpress.ie)
- weaponMaguire admitted possessing a shotgun with intent to commit robbery. (offalyexpress.ie)
- weaponThe robber had the base of a sawn-off shotgun. (offalyexpress.ie)
- weaponThe robber was armed with a shotgun. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationA male in his 30s was apprehended and arrested by a garda on beat patrol in the area. (garda.ie)
- investigationHe was brought to Tullamore Garda Station and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984. (garda.ie)
- investigationAll property taken and the replica firearm were recovered. (garda.ie)
- investigationA garda on foot patrol observed suspicious activity and intercepted a male who had just carried out a robbery. (offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- investigationThe suspect was apprehended after a short foot pursuit. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe suspect was arrested with the assistance of a local resident as he tried to flee down Convent View. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe suspect was arrested with the help of a local resident as he tried to flee down nearby Convent View. (longfordleader.ie)
- investigationA man in his 30s was arrested a short time later by a garda on beat patrol in the area. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe man was taken to Tullamore Garda Station and detained under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationAll of the property taken during the robbery was recovered. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí presented CCTV footage of the robbery to the court. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationA knife, cash and prescribed drugs were found in a laptop bag on the man. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe man was arrested at 4.20pm. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationIn interview the man made full admissions to entering the premises with the firearm. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe firearm had been sent to ballistics to test whether it could be fired. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationGardaí apprehended the accused after the alleged robbery. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationCCTV footage was viewed by the judge in a bail application. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe book of evidence was not yet ready and Maguire was remanded to February 4. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe book of evidence is expected to be ready in two weeks. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe book of evidence was not yet ready, and the accused was remanded to February 4. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationA garda tackled the man outside the pharmacy and arrested him. (offalyexpress.ie)
- investigationThe firearm was examined by garda ballistics and found to be in poor condition and unable to function. (offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- investigationThe accused admitted the offence to gardaí when interviewed after his arrest. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeThe man has been charged in connection with the investigation. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeThe accused is alleged to have robbed €530 cash and medication worth €192. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeMaguire is accused of robbing a pharmacy in Tullamore. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeHe also faces a charge of having a shotgun. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeMaguire admitted having the shotgun with intent to prevent his arrest. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeMaguire pleaded guilty to robbing €530 cash and €192 worth of medication at the pharmacy. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeMaguire admitted possessing a shotgun with intent to commit robbery and having it to prevent his arrest. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeCharges of possessing a knife and resisting a garda were to be taken into consideration. (offalyexpress.ie)
- chargeThe accused had previously pleaded guilty to robbing €530 cash and €192 worth of medication at the pharmacy. (longfordleader.ie)
- chargeThe accused admitted possessing a shotgun with intent to commit robbery. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtHe is due to appear before Portlaoise District Court on 23 October 2025. (garda.ie)
- courtThe man is due to appear before a sitting of Portlaoise District Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe DPP had not yet issued directions in the case. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge remanded the accused in custody, citing his admissions and strong evidence. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe accused was remanded in custody with consent to bail until December 10, when he is to appear by video link. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe accused was refused bail and remanded in custody. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtDefence counsel said the matter could be adjourned for a book of evidence. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtA book of evidence is being prepared for the prosecution. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe accused appeared before the judge on Wednesday, 7 January. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe case was adjourned to 21 January and the accused was remanded to appear on that date. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtMaguire had previously been refused bail and appeared at Tullamore District Court by video link from prison. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtJudge Cody said Maguire will be sent to the Circuit Court on February 4. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe accused had previously been refused bail and appeared by video link from prison. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge said the accused would be sent to the Circuit Court on February 4. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtA book of evidence was served, and the DPP consented to the accused being sent to Tullamore Circuit Criminal Court on April 14. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtThe judge granted two counsel for the defence and remanded the accused in custody with consent to bail to the Circuit Court in April. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtMaguire was arraigned at Tullamore Circuit Court on Tuesday, 14 April. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtMaguire had a previous six-year suspended sentence for robbery and was subject to it when the offence occurred. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtMaguire had 58 previous convictions. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtMaguire was remanded in custody to November 17 for a forensic report before sentencing. (offalyexpress.ie)
- courtA forensic psychiatric report was sought, and the defence asked for the matter to be adjourned to the November sitting of the Circuit Court. (longfordleader.ie)
- courtThe judge remanded the accused in custody to November 17 for the forensic report, which was needed before sentencing. (longfordleader.ie)
- sentenceJudge Munro adjourned consideration of sentencing to June 3. (offalyexpress.ie)
- sentenceThe maximum sentence available to the court is life in prison. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe suspect fled the pharmacy with a bag containing medication. (offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe suspect is detained at Tullamore Garda Station. (offalyexpress.ie, longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe robber left the scene with cash and medical products. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe defence said the accused has a psychiatric illness and needs to be assessed. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe accused is 37 years old and has an address at St Columba's Place, Tullamore. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe defence said Maguire has a long history of mental illness and no recollection of the incident. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherMaguire was in custody in Cloverhill Prison for a considerable period. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe judge ordered psychiatric, probation and prison governor's reports. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherMaguire can appear before the court by video link from prison. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe judge praised the garda who tackled the armed robber. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherVictim impact statements described nightmares, panic attacks and ongoing fear among staff and a customer. (offalyexpress.ie)
- otherThe court was told the accused had been given a six-year suspended sentence for robbery before this offence. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe accused had 58 previous convictions. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherA probation report assessed the accused as low risk of reoffending in the next 12 months. (longfordleader.ie)
- otherThe judge said the crime was appalling and that the victims had similar symptoms to post traumatic stress disorder. (longfordleader.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 27 Jun2026Midlands pharmacy robber armed with shotgun taken down by garda
Court sentencing hearing: pharmacy staff and a customer gave victim impact statements, the judge praised the garda who tackled the robber, and the accused was remanded for a forensic report.
accused, Philip Maguire, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Maguirevictim, Annette Donlon Nestor, female, irish (judged from name)Annette Donlon Nestorvictim, Nicole Cromack, female, irish (judged from name)Nicole Cromackvictim, Irene Macken, female, irish (judged from name)Irene Mackenvictim, Marie Delaney, irish (judged from name)Marie Delaney - 26 Jun2026Offaly pharmacy robber armed with shotgun taken down by garda
Court report on the Circuit Court sentencing hearing. Maguire pleaded guilty to robbery and to possessing a shotgun with intent to commit robbery. Other charges were to be taken into consideration. The judge remanded him in custody for sentencing, and the report includes victim impact statements and the garda's account of the arrest.
convicted, Philip Maguire, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Maguirevictim, Annette Donlon Nestor, female, irish (judged from name)Annette Donlon Nestorvictim, Nicole Cromack, female, irish (judged from name)Nicole Cromackvictim, Irene Macken, female, irish (judged from name)Irene Mackenvictim, Marie Delaney, female, irish (judged from name)Marie Delaney - 30 Apr2026Guilty plea to armed robbery at Offaly pharmacy
First report of this court case. Maguire pleaded guilty on 14 April 2026 to the robbery and the shotgun charges. The defence said he has no memory of the incident and a long history of mental illness. Sentencing was adjourned to June 3.
convicted, Philip Maguire, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Maguire - 13 Mar2026Man sent to Circuit Court on Offaly robbery and shotgun charges
First report on the case. Adds the alleged robbery details, the shotgun and knife allegations, and the order sending the accused to the Circuit Court.
accused, Philip Maguire, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Maguire - 26 Jan2026Man accused of robbing pharmacy in Tullamore will be sent to Circuit Court
First report of the case. Adds the court appearance on Wednesday 21 January 2026 by video link from prison, the bail refusal, the adjournment for the book of evidence, and the plan to send the accused to the Circuit Court on February 4.
accused, Philip Maguire, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Maguire - 22 Jan2026Man accused of Offaly robbery will be sent to Circuit Court
Reports the Wednesday 21 January 2026 District Court appearance: the book of evidence was not yet ready, Maguire was previously refused bail, and Judge Cody said he will be sent to the Circuit Court on 4 February.
accused, Philip Maguire, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Maguire - 7 Jan2026Book of evidence being prepared after Offaly robbery
Court report on the 7 January 2026 District Court hearing. Adds that a book of evidence is being prepared, that CCTV shows a man holding a gun, the amount and medication allegedly taken, and the adjournment to 21 January.
accused, Philip Maguire, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Maguire - 7 Jan2026CCTV footage of armed robbery at Offaly pharmacy shown in court
Bail hearing report: CCTV footage was presented, the accused made admissions, a knife, cash and prescribed drugs were found on him, the firearm was sent for ballistics, and he was remanded in custody to December 10 by video link.
accused, Philip Maguire, 37, male, named, irish (judged from name)Philip Maguirevictim, femalevictim, female - 23 Oct2025Man charged after armed robbery at pharmacy in Tullamore
Adds that the suspect was charged, that the stolen property and replica firearm were recovered, and that he is due before Portlaoise District Court. No matching existing case was found.
accused, 30s, male - 23 Oct2025Garda on foot patrol apprehends suspect following armed robbery at Midlands chemist
Reports the arrest of a male suspect after a foot pursuit, the recovery of a firearm, and the suspect's detention at Tullamore Garda Station.
suspect, male - 22 Oct2025UPDATE: Garda on foot patrol apprehends suspect who carried out armed robbery in Tullamore
First report of the incident. Adds that a garda on foot patrol intercepted the suspect, that a firearm was recovered, and that the suspect is detained at Tullamore Garda Station.
suspect, male - 22 Oct2025Court Appearance - Robbery and arrest Tullamore Co. Offaly – 22nd October 2025
Garda press release confirming the charge, recovery of stolen property and replica firearm, and court appearance at Portlaoise District Court on 23 October 2025.
suspect, 30s, malevictim