'Blood covered' man accused of street robbery and bookies raid on Grafton Street

The man appeared before Dublin District Court.

A MAN WHO claims he was attacked in Dublin city centre and left bleeding before he allegedly mugged a Chinese teenager and attempted to raid a bookmakers on Grafton Street has been refused bail.

Gerard O’Toole (27) with accommodation at St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, was charged with robbery and an attempted robbery minutes apart yesterday.

The bloodstained accused was arrested, charged and held pending his appearance before Judge Grainne Malone at Dublin District Court on Saturday.

Garda Martin O’Rourke objected to bail and alleged that the accused approached the 18-year-old at a bank machine at about 8.15 pm and took €220 from him.

Gardai also learned that another incident had happened at 8 pm yesterday. It was alleged the accused entered BoyleSports on Grafton Street and demanded money but left when staff raised the alarm.

The court heard that he “stood out” because he was covered in blood. He was soon arrested, and it was claimed he had the young Chinese man’s money.

The court heard that teenager was left “very shook up” because the robber had blood on him when he demanded the cash.

O’Toole has not yet entered a plea.

The garda confirmed that there was no allegation of using a weapon, but there had been “a threat of physical violence” during the incidents.

He agreed with defence counsel Kevin McCrave that there were no warrants out the accused and that O’Toole had also claimed he was assaulted earlier that day.

Counsel submitted that O’Toole maintained that he had been struck on his head and suffered an injury beforehand, and his memory was “sketchy at best”.

Directions from the DPP are required to decide if the case should go on indictment to the Circuit Court, which has wider sentencing powers.

The barrister submitted that he did not think that would happen.

The accused was denied bail and remanded in custody to appear again on Thursday. Judge Malone granted him legal aid after noting he was unemployed, and she directed him to receive medical attention in custody.