BAIL GRANTED | 

Man accused of robbing €31k in uncashed betting slips from professional gambler

Shane McKeever (33) is accused of being one of two muggers who set upon the man and stole his bag.

Today at 08:42

A “professional gambler” was robbed of a backpack containing €31,000 of uncashed winning betting slips as he made his way from a bookmakers, it is alleged.

Shane McKeever (33) is accused of being one of two muggers who set upon the man and stole his bag.

Judge Treasa Kelly granted conditional bail and adjourned the case at Dublin District Court for the DPP’s directions to be given.

Mr McKeever, of MacUilliam Parade, Tallaght, is charged with robbery.

Objecting to bail, Garda Dave Malone said the incident happened on December 16. He was on patrol when he responded to a report that a man had been mugged while walking at Charleston Road, Ranelagh.

As he made his way to the area he met two men at nearby Richmond Hill.

One fled while the other, the accused, remained at the scene. Mr McKeever was stopped for a drug search and as he was taken into custody, he dropped what the garda thought were two receipts. Garda Malone picked them up and found another 40 behind a railing.

The alleged victim made his way to the garda station and told how, during the alleged robbery, one assailant approached him from behind and the other pulled at his backpack.

He had put up a struggle, suffering cuts to his hands and abrasions to his knees. His jeans were ripped. He was “a bit sore” afterwards, but did not need medical treatment.

The backpack contained aftershave, a padlock, a mobile phone worth €100 and 42 uncashed Paddy Power winning betting slips worth €31,000.

In CCTV footage gardaí saw the alleged victim being followed closely up the road from the betting shop by two men. The garda had found the betting slips and showed them to the man, who described himself as a “professional gambler.”

The garda maintained Mr McKeever’s clothing matched the description and CCTV evidence.

Gda Malone accepted his bail objections did not include any concerns over witness interference as the alleged victim was not known to Mr McKeever.

Applying for bail, defence solicitor Aoife McNicholl said CCTV footage did not show the alleged incident and only showed individuals wearing clothing that was widely available. Gda Malone said the combination of clothes was distinctive.

There was no identity parade, the court heard.