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. 14737Armed robbery · Co. Longford · 3 Mar 2024

Two men jailed over armed Boylesports robbery in Longford

Peter Murphy, 42, and Desmond McKeever, 46, robbed a Boylesports bookmakers in Longford town on 3 March 2024, when they entered at 6.44pm and one was armed with a can of pepper spray. Gardaí identified both men from CCTV footage, and McKeever was arrested after being identified. Both men pleaded guilty at Longford Circuit Court to the robbery. On 31 January 2025 both were sentenced, with the sources giving different terms for each man, and the totals cover separate offences as well.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced31 Jan
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Two men robbed a Boylesports bookmakers armed with a can of pepper spray.
Where
The robbery took place at Boylesports in Longford town, Longford.
When
The robbery was on 3 March 2024, and the two men entered the premises at 6.44pm.
Cause
  • Murphy owed €2,500 to moneylenders.
  • McKeever was under pressure over drug debt money when the robbery took place.
Weapon
The robber at the front of the premises was armed with pepper spray.
Investigation
  • Gardaí obtained CCTV from Weavers Hall and identified Murphy and McKeever from various pieces of footage.
  • McKeever was arrested after being identified from CCTV footage.
Other details
  • The robbers took €237 from one of the two tills, and the money was not recovered.
  • The totals cover separate offences that are not part of this case.
  • The judge described the Boylesports robbery as a terrifying incident with a profound impact.
In court
Murphy and McKeever pleaded guilty at Longford Circuit Court to the Boylesports robbery and also admitted one separate offence.
Sentence
  • Murphy was sentenced to four years and 10 months in total for both offences, with the final 16 months suspended, while the Longford Leader reported he was jailed for three and a half years.
  • McKeever was sentenced to three years and four months in total for both offences, with the final year suspended, while the Longford Leader reported he was jailed for over two years.
15 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatTwo raiders robbed a Longford bookmakers armed with a can of pepper spray. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whereThe robbery took place at Boylesports in Longford town. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe defendants entered the premises at 6.44pm. (longfordleader.ie)
  • causeMurphy owed €2,500 to moneylenders. (longfordleader.ie)
  • causeMcKeever was under pressure over drug debt money when they robbed Boylesports. (longfordleader.ie)
  • weaponThe robber at the front of the premises was armed with pepper spray. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí obtained CCTV from Weavers Hall that showed the two men. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationGardaí identified Murphy and McKeever from various pieces of footage. (longfordleader.ie)
  • investigationMcKeever was arrested after being identified from CCTV footage. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtBoth men pleaded guilty at Longford Circuit Court to the Boylesports robbery. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceMurphy was sentenced to four years and 10 months in total for both of his offences, with the final 16 months suspended. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceMcKeever was sentenced to three years and four months in total for both of his offences, with the final year suspended. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe robbers took €237 from one of the two tills. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe money taken was not recovered. (longfordleader.ie)
  • otherThe judge described the Boylesports robbery as a terrifying incident with a profound impact. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 31 Jan2025
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, first report
    Two raiders jailed following ‘terrifying’ Longford bookmakers robbery

    Reports the sentencing of both men for the Boylesports robbery. The total sentences also cover separate offences that are not part of this case.

    convicted, Peter Murphy, 42, male, named, irish (judged from name)Peter Murphyconvicted, Desmond McKeever, 46, male, named, irish (judged from name)Desmond McKeever