A violent criminal who held up a bookies in Dublin before hijacking a passing car to make his escape has been handed an eight-and-a-half year prison sentence.
Trevor Byrne, of Cappagh Road in Finglas, was one of two armed robbers who threatened staff before making off with just under €1,500.
March 19th 2010 was Gold Cup Day at the Cheltenham Racing Festival – a very busy day at BoyleSports bookmakers in Swords.
Just before the manager closed up, Trevor Byrne and his accomplice emerged from the toilets area armed with guns and wearing masks.
The staff were threatened at gunpoint and the robbers became agitated when they were told there was no more money aside from what was in the tills - just under €1,500.
The judge said the haul must have been less than they expected after such a busy day.
They hijacked a passing car to make their escape and the driver said she too feared for her life as they refused to let her out straight away.
They eventually dumped her on the side of a country road before driving off.
Bryne is already serving a lengthy sentence for an unrelated crime.
The eight-and-a-half year sentence handed down today will begin when that sentence is complete.
