Edenderry men to be sentenced for Tyrrellspass post office raid

TWO Edenderry men pleaded guilty to robbing the post office in Tyrrellspass late last year.

Craig Connolly, Kinnefad and Mark Kelly, who gave his address as Gilroy Avenue, both in their 20’s admitted the offence at Tullamore Circuit Court and will be sentenced next term.

Both were arrested on the morning of the robbery, which took place at around 9.30am on November 25 last and during which €6,800 cash, €450 stamps and €600 bin tags were taken.

It was alleged in an earlier court that Mark Kelly was carrying a sledge hammer and smashed the glass partition and jumped the counter to steal items, while Craig Connolly was carrying a knife when the robbery occurred.

A victim impact statement has been requested.

Mr Kelly is receiving psychiatric assistance for a number of years, Mr Rory Hanniffy told the court, and the legal aid certificate has been extended to cover a psychiatric report.

Mr Stephen Byrne said his client is getting help for drug and alcohol problems.

Both were remanded to appear before Tullamore Circuit Court on July 3, with Mr Connolly on bail and Kelly remanded in custody with consent to bail.