A Dublin man who swung a samurai sword at a shopkeeper during a robbery in November 2011 has avoided jail.
Barry Delappe of Harcourt Street was chased by an-off duty Garda who spotted the Gala shop in Newcastle being held up.
The court heard how he was arrested after an accomplice smashed in the detective's windscreen with the sword.
41-year-old Delappe was handed a three year sentence today which was suspended in full.
