A Ballybofey man has been jailed for 18 months for robbing a Chinese Takeaway in Convoy.
The Gaolee restaurant in Convoy
Letterkenny Circuit Court was told how Gardai received a report of a robbery at the Gao Lee Restaurant on March 12th, 2011.
They had been told the restaurant had been held up by two men – one brandishing a knife and the other a screwdriver.
The restaurant’s cash till had been stolen with just €20 in it as it had been emptied earlier.
Gardai identified Leo Marley (22), whom they knew already, in the area.
Another man, Stephen McCafferty from Lawnsdale, Ballybofey, was found with the cash till and has already been dealt with by the courts.
He was jailed for 18 months at an earlier sitting.
Gardai told the court that Marley, of 15 Glenview Park, Ballybofey, had suffered from drug problems.
Marley had told the court he was drug-free but a Garda witness said he was not fully sure if this was the case.
Judge John O’Hagan said there was simply no excuse for what Marley did.
He said the men were “on a rampage” and had planned the robbery.
“Whether they were drunk or under the influence you cannot go into a person’s property and threaten violence,” he said.
The court heard that Marley, who was in court with his girlfriend, had 14 previous convictions.
Judge O’Hagan sentenced Marley to 18 months in jail.
Marley’s girlfriend sobbed in the court and accused Gardai of telling lies about her partner.