A Dublin man - who deliberately robbed a jewellers' shop because he wanted to be in prison for his own safety - has been jailed for three years.
Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard that Liam Gaynor of York Road in Dun Laoghaire was institutionalised in prison - having spent 20 years of his life behind bars.
He was caught by Gardaí crouching in the roof of McManus's Jewellers, Georges Street, Dun Laoghaire after he had held up staff and robbed two diamond rings.
The 48 year old - who has 34 previous convictions - pleaded guilty to robbery and criminal damage at the jewellers on 19th October last year.
He told Gardaí he was under threat from moneylenders and feared his seriously ill mother would be burnt alive if he was not in jail.
