Man threatened to chop off customer’s head during attempted post office raid

A father-of-two who threatened to chop off a customer’s head while trying to rob a post office will be sentenced later this month.

George Simpson (30), who was armed with both an air pistol and a hatchet, told gardaí­ when interviewed "I'm sorry I had to do it. I owe €14,000. I would be killed." His counsel said he was referring to a drug debt he owed due to his cocaine habit.

He pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to attempted robbery, possession of an imitation firearm with intent to rob, production of a weapon, threat to kill or cause serious harm and criminal damage at Rush Post Office, Main Street, Rush, Co Dublin on November 28, 2016.

Garda Ross Rowan told Diarmuid Collins BL, prosecuting, that the staff member behind the desk ran into the back office for safety after Simpson threatened to chop the head off a male customer if she didn’t hand over cash.

He then used the hatchet to smash a glass panel in front of the tills before he was heard shouting “f**k this” and running out of the post office.

Simpson has since moved out of the home he shared with his wife and two sons. Dominic McGinn SC, defending, said he believed “the threat still hangs over him” and he wanted to distance himself from his family. Simpson had been living in his car before he was remanded in custody on Tuesday pending sentence.

Counsel said the “nature of the crime was such a huge shock to his wife” because although Simpson has 15 previous convictions, they are for more minor offences that have been dealt with in the District Court.

Simpson previously lived at Millwood Villas, Edenmore, Raheny, Dublin.

Judge Karen O’Connor, who viewed CCTV footage of the raid said “a custodial sentence cannot be avoided”. She gave Simpson the option of being remanded in custody pending his sentence on July 21 next. Simpson then chose to go to prison.

Garda Rowan said the female member of staff was afraid for her life while she hid in the back office. She had pressed the panic alarm and didn’t come back out until a customer told her Simpson had left.

Simpson was arrested a short time later after witnesses told gardaí­ he ran off in the direction of nearby Lusk. He had a balaclava, an air pistol, a magazine of plastic pellets for the gun and a hatchet with him when he was stopped.

He apologised during interview to the staff and customers and admitted that he had threatened the man.

Mr McGinn said Simpson recognised his difficulties in life and had started attending a psychologist.

“He accepts what he has done and knows there will be further punishment,” Mr McGinn said.