Maudabawn post office raider faces life sentence

A heroin addict who raided the rural post office in Cavan 18 months ago faces a life sentence when his case comes up for sentencing in at the Central Criminal Court in Dublin this Friday. Martin Galligan, 86 Ardkeen, Cavan town, appeared before Cavan Circuit Court last week charged that on October 1, 2008, he attempted to rob Frances Farrell at Maudabawn Post Office, Maudabawn. The matter was adjourned to the Dublin court to clarify the position regarding a sentence that was imposed on Mr. Galligan in 2002. On that occasion he was given a seven-year prison term for having drugs for sale or supply. However, the Court of Criminal Appeal suspended the last two years of that sentence. With remission, Mr. Galligan was released in January 2006 on conditions but he failed to comply with them. In October 2008, he was put back into custody to serve out the rest of his sentence and was due to be released on April 1, 2010. "He has been custody on the current charge since April 1," 2010. What the prosecution has to establish when the sentence imposed by Cavan Circuit Court actually commences. There is a doubt if the sentence should commence at the end of the five years that was originally imposed or at the end of his early release due to remission. Outlining the Maudabawn case, Ms. Monica Lawlor BL on behalf of the DPP said on October 29, 2009, the accused pleaded guilty to count one. He did not plead to count two but the facts were given and the State entered a nolle prosequi. The accused was remanded in custody and a Probation Report was directed. "On October 1, 2008, Mrs. Frances Farrell, post mistress, was preparing dinner when she heard the shop bell ring. When she went into the shop she didn't see anyone but then noticed a person on his knees beside the safe." Ms. Lawlor pointed out that the post office was in a rural location. Mrs. Farrell then saw what she thought was a gun on the ground but it later transpired to be a car jack. She began to scream and her husband Aogan, who is headmaster of the local school, came to her assistance. Mr. Farrell restrained Mr. Galligan. Sergeant Chris McCormack, Cootehill Garda Station, said at 3.01pm, a security van arrived to Maudabawn PO to lodge the weekly amount of money. It came every Wednesday at the same time. Mrs. Farrell locked the money in the safe and continued about her business. Her mother and father-in-law live on the premises. Her father-in-law is the retired postmaster. Mr. Farrell came in for his dinner and Mrs. Farrell heard the shop bell ring. When she went into the shop she didn't see anyone there but then saw someone behind the counter wearing a hard hat and jacket. He was on his knees beside the safe taking money from it. Mr. Farrell came to her assistance and he managed, along with his son Aogan, to tie Mr. Galligan up until the Gardaí arrived. "It was a very traumatic experience for the Farrell family especially Mrs. Farrell." Cross-examined by Ms. Miriam O'Reilly BL (instructed by Paul Madden solicitor), Sgt. McCormack said the accused was released in January 2006 on conditions but failed to comply with them. "There was a bench warrant out for him but I'm not in a position to say what the date of the warrant was." He was taken into custody to serve the balance of his sentence. Mr. Galligan was charged with the current offence while he was serving the balance of his sentence. At the time of the offence, he was suffering from severe drug addiction. "I was not aware that Mr. Galligan was taken to Cavan General Hospital while he was in custody in Bailieboro Garda Station as I was not there all day." In evidence Aogan Farrell said the event had a major traumatic effect on his family and the business closed on March 31. The incident was one of the reasons it closed and the main one being that his wife still suffered trauma. "She will not stay in the shop, while money is being delivered." On February 26 of this year there was another attempted robbery on the shop. "My parents, who are very elderly, live on the premises." His son did not suffer any effects but his eleven-year-old Conor did. It was both Conor and his wife who dialled 999. The incident didn't have any effect on Mr. Farrell. "My greatest concern is for my wife and family." The raid had a direct effect on the decision to close the business, which had been in operation since 1950. Ms. O'Reilly said not withstanding the seriousness of the offence her client had entered a plea of guilty and she asked Judge Raymond Fullam to take that in consideration. Mr. Galligan suffered from a serious heroin addiction and needed to feed his habit. "He went into the post office, which was a terrible thing to do and it was ill thought out." Continuing she said her client didn't offer any violence or threaten Mrs. Farrell or her family at any stage. He had taken heroin on the day and could not think straight. Mr. Galligan was 29 years old at the time of the incident and was born and raised in Killeshandra. He had two daughters aged seven and eleven years. Prior to his imprisonment for his drug offence, he lived with his partner and two daughters, to whom he is very close with. Initially he became involved with cannabis and ecstasy pills when he was 19 or 20 and could take up to nine pills. Later he came in contact with people who introduced him to cocaine and then heroin. When he was 23 years old, Judge Matthew Deery sentenced him and while in Castlerea he became involved with heroin and by the time he was on temporary release, he was addicted. He had to get money to feed his habit. Mr. Galligan was receiving treatment for his drug addiction and was now clear. While he has been in prison he has also gone back to school and Ms. O'Reilly produced four certificates Mr. Galligan had received. Ms. Lawlor informed Judge Fullam that the offence did carry a life sentence. Judge Fullam said he would direct a comprehensive Probation Report be prepared and adjourn the matter to Dublin for this Friday, May 7.