A man who colluded with an employee of Grafton Group's Irish chain Woodie's DIY to steal almost €60,000 from the retailer has been put behind bars.
Dublin doorman Trevor Knowles, 40, joined forces with the manager of Woodie's Coolock outlet, 27-year-old Thomas McDermott, to stage the robbery on the branch and share the money. McDermott - who claimed he needed the money because he was being blackmailed over a sex video - has already been given a three-year suspended sentence for his part in the crime. Knowles was given a five-year prison sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with the last two years suspended.
Judge Patrick McCartan told the court that McDermott's sentence had been suspended because €27,450 of the cash had been recovered at his house. None of Knowles' share has been found, and although the defendant interrupted the judge during his sentencing, offering to pay back the money, the judge said it was too late.
To arrange the theft, McDermott agreed not to set the alarm and left the store unlocked. Knowles, faking an attack on the manager, then punched him and tied him up before leaving with some €60,000 in cash, cheques and vouchers.
At first, Knowles denied helping to plan the robbery but changed his plea to guilty as the evidence against him built up.