Friday 30 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. 16099Armed robbery · Co. Longford · 27 Aug 2020

Suspended sentence activated for man convicted of Longford school armed robbery

On 27 August 2020, James Cranny (41), of Boyle, Co Roscommon, held a screwdriver to the neck of a woman who was a primary school principal during an armed robbery at St Joseph's National School in Longford. In March 2021 he was sentenced to four years and six months in prison, with the final 18 months suspended. In September 2024 the Circuit Court activated the suspended portion after finding he had breached the conditions of his suspension, which is the latest development in the case.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced11 Sep
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • A man held a screwdriver to the neck of a primary school principal during an armed robbery.
  • A person present gave Cranny €100 and guided him to the door.
Where
The robbery took place at St Joseph's National School in Longford.
When
The robbery took place on 27 August 2020.
Cause
Cranny had consumed a cocktail of drugs and was desperate for more before the robbery.
Weapon
Cranny produced a screwdriver and held it to the principal's neck.
Other details
Cranny, of Boyle, Co Roscommon, had travelled from Dublin, and five members of the board of management were held up.
Sentence
  • In March 2021 Cranny was sentenced to four years and six months in prison, with the final 18 months suspended.
  • The suspension was subject to conditions including keeping the peace and being of good behaviour for ten years after release.
In court
  • Cranny came before the Circuit Court having breached the conditions of his suspended sentence.
  • Judge Kenneth Connolly activated the suspended 18 months of the sentence in September 2024.
9 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatA man held a screwdriver to the neck of a school principal during an armed robbery. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatA person present gave Cranny €100 and guided him to the door. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe robbery took place on 27 August 2020. (longfordleader.ie)
  • causeCranny had consumed drugs and was desperate for more before the robbery. (longfordleader.ie)
  • weaponCranny produced a screwdriver and held it to the principal's neck. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtCranny came before the Circuit Court having breached the conditions of his suspended sentence. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtJudge Kenneth Connolly activated the suspended sentence. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceIn March 2021 Cranny was sentenced to four years and six months in prison, with the final 18 months suspended. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe suspension was subject to conditions including keeping the peace and being of good behaviour for ten years post release. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 11 Sep2024
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Judge activates suspended portion of sentence for man convicted of Longford school robbery

    Court report that the Circuit Court activated the suspended portion of the March 2021 sentence after Cranny breached the conditions of his suspension.

    convicted, James Cranny, 41, male, named, irish (judged from name)James Crannyvictim, female