Dublin man accused of pulling shotgun out of tracksuit bottoms in McDonald's raid

Sunday World

2 days ago

Craig Douglas (24) of Belclare Park, Ballymun, Dublin is charged with robbery, dangerous driving and Garda obstruction.
An armed robber went to a McDonald's, pulled a shotgun out of his tracksuit bottoms and pointed it at staff while people were buying their morning coffee and breakfast, it is alleged.
Craig Douglas (24) is accused of carrying out a 'broad daylight' raid at the fast food restaurant in Dublin yesterday, leaving staff traumatised before speeding dangerously off in a getaway car.
He was refused bail at Dublin District Court this afternoon and was remanded in custody to next week, for DPP directions.
Mr Douglas, of Belclare Park, Ballymun, Dublin is charged with robbery, dangerous driving and garda obstruction.
The court heard he is denying the allegations.
Craig Douglas (24)
News in 90 Seconds - May 30th
Objecting to bail, a Garda told Judge John King the robbery happened at McDonald's, Gulliver's Retail Park, Northwood, Santry yesterday when a man entered the restaurant and 'calmly' sat down for a few minutes until customers left.
He then approached the counter, took a shotgun from his tracksuit bottoms and pointed it at staff, robbing the till which had no money in it. The robber fled the scene in a car that had been stolen elsewhere earlier that morning.
He drove out, crashed into a metal barrier and continued on to St Margaret's Road where he sped, undertaking traffic. The getaway car was later found in St Margaret's Halting site and when gardai arrived, they saw Mr Douglas in the back seat of another car.
It was alleged he violently resisted arrest. Gardai found the keys of the getaway vehicle in the car he had been in. It was alleged a tshirt and runners he was wearing were distinctive and matched those worn by the robbery suspect. A tracksuit was seized from a caravan.
In her objections, the garda cited the level of violence used in the robbery, the fear it caused and the fact that it was a 'busy public location.'
'It happened in broad daylight where members of the public were present, buying their morning coffee and breakfast,' the garda said.
The shotgun had not been found and the garda feared the accused could have possession of it if released on bail. Gardai were relieved that nobody was injured despite the 'dangerous crime spree,' the court heard. Restaurant staff were traumatised and the accused 'seems to have zero remorse,' the garda said.
Applying for bail, defence solicitor Matthew De Courcy said Mr Douglas was presumed innocent, his position was 'he didn't do this' and he made no admissions in interview.
Mr De Courcy said the man in the CCTV had his face covered and gardai were effectively identifying him by his clothing. The defence would say the clothes were not distinctive, but were 'generic' and the link to his client was 'tenuous.' Mr Douglas was found in a different location in a different car.
Mr Douglas was living with his family, 'upskilling' on a construction course and was 'a young man with a bright future,' Mr De Courcy said.
Judge King refused bail and remanded him in custody to appear in Cloverhill District Court on June 4.