Man accused of Longford robbery allegedly threatened shop staff with steak knife

A man charged with robbery of €1,500 from a discount store in Longford has been refused bail at Longford District Court today.

John Robertson (32), of no fixed abode, appeared this afternoon before Judge Bernadette Owens.

Mr Robertson was served with a book of evidence and sent forward for trial last month. He will appear before Longford Circuit Court in July.

Detective Garda Brendan Lynn told the court that, on August 14, 2022, shortly before 3pm, a male entered Supersavers discount store.

It is alleged the male, wearing shorts, had concealed his face with a green balaclava and had a large steak knife, which he allegedly held against the till attendant's back when telling him to open the till.

When the till was opened, it is alleged the male reached across the counter and took a number of notes, amounting to €1,500 before leaving the scene on a bicycle.

Various witnesses identified a man, wearing shorts, on a bike, with “something green” on his head, Detective Garda Lynn explained, and CCTV was harvested along the route that the male took towards the canal.

The male was later identified by Gardaí as John Robertson. His face was not visible on CCTV, but no other suspects were identified.

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Mr Robertson is, by his own admission, “a drug user”, Det. Gda Lynn told the court, and Gardaí are “concerned he will commit further offences” if admitted to bail.

Judge Owens, having heard the evidence and the basis of the state's objection, refused bail, stating she was “satisfied a remand in custody is reasonably necessary to prevent the commission of further offences”.