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. 11389Robbery · Co. Dublin · 3 Mar 2021

Man sentenced for knife robbery at Circle K, Dundrum Road, Dublin

On 3 March 2021 the accused produced a knife and demanded money from a female employee at a Circle K on the Dundrum Road, Dublin, and was handed €350. Ms. Keenan is named as the injured party, and the accused is Lee O'Brien, a 39-year-old man. He failed to appear on the trial date, was later arrested on a bench warrant, and appeared at Dublin District Court to finalise 48 separate matters after covid lockdown delays. A report dated 23 January 2026 says he was sentenced, but the article gives two different terms: two years and nine months, and three years and three months with the final six months suspended.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced23 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
A robbery took place in which the accused demanded money from a female employee.
Where
The robbery took place at a Circle K on the Dundrum Road, Dublin.
When
The offence was committed on 3 March 2021.
Weapon
The accused produced a knife while demanding money.
Other details
  • Cash totalling €350 was handed over to the accused.
  • The accused has 228 previous convictions.
  • The injured party left her job after the incident and is now living overseas.
Investigation
  • The accused changed clothes at a nearby apartment complex and left on a bike, and gardaí located discarded belongings after finding the accused on CCTV.
  • A DNA sample matching the accused was found on a cap and hoodie in a rucksack, and the clothing matched what the accused wore on CCTV.
In court
  • The accused failed to appear on the trial date and was later arrested on a bench warrant.
  • Proceedings were delayed by covid lockdowns, and the accused appeared at Dublin District Court to finalise 48 separate matters.
  • The judge described the offence as deliberate and organised, and the court treated the bench warrant as an aggravating factor.
Sentence
  • The court set a headline sentence of five years and passed a sentence of 3 years and 3 months with the final 6 months suspended.
  • Sources differ on the term: one gives two years and nine months, and the other gives three years and three months with the final six months suspended.
  • The accused must engage with probation services for one year after release.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whereThe robbery took place at a Circle K on the Dundrum Road. (gript.ie)
  • whenThe offence was committed on 3 March 2021. (gript.ie)
  • weaponThe accused produced a knife while demanding money from a female employee. (gript.ie)
  • investigationThe accused changed clothes at a nearby apartment complex and left on a bike. (gript.ie)
  • investigationGardaí located discarded belongings after finding the accused on CCTV. (gript.ie)
  • investigationA DNA sample matching the accused was found on a cap and hoodie in a rucksack. (gript.ie)
  • investigationClothing was matched to what the accused wore on CCTV. (gript.ie)
  • courtThe accused failed to appear on the trial date and was later arrested on a bench warrant. (gript.ie)
  • courtThe accused appeared at Dublin District Court to finalise 48 separate matters. (gript.ie)
  • courtProceedings were delayed by covid lockdowns. (gript.ie)
  • courtThe judge described the offence as deliberate and organised. (gript.ie)
  • courtThe court treated the bench warrant as an aggravating factor. (gript.ie)
  • sentenceThe accused was sentenced to two years and nine months. (gript.ie)
  • sentenceThe court set a headline sentence of five years, then passed a sentence of 3 years and 3 months with the final 6 months suspended. (gript.ie)
  • sentenceThe accused must engage with probation services for one year after release. (gript.ie)
  • otherCash totalling €350 was handed over to the accused. (gript.ie)
  • otherThe accused has 228 previous convictions. (gript.ie)
  • otherThe injured party left her job after the incident and is now living overseas. (gript.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 23 Jan2026
    Sentencedgript.ie, first report
    Repeat offender held up Circle K with knife - Gript

    Court report on sentencing for a 2021 robbery; no matching existing case. The article gives 2 years and 9 months in the introduction but 3 years and 3 months (with the final 6 months suspended) in the body.

    convicted, Lee O'Brien, 39, male, named, irish (judged from name)Lee O'Brienvictim, Ms. Keenan, female, irish (judged from name)Ms. Keenan