Tattoo gives away armed man who robbed same shop in Cork twice

A distinctive tattoo on an armed raider’s hand linked him to a crime which turned out to be a case of history repeating itself.

Evan O’Leary robbed his local shop in April 2025, and it turned out that he had robbed the same shop more than nine years earlier in January 2016.

Now at Cork Circuit Criminal Court the 30-year-old has been jailed for three years for the robbery less than a year ago. Judge Sinéad Behan imposed a sentence of four-and-a-half years with the last 18 months suspended.

Detective Garda Kevin Motherway said Evan O’Leary was armed with a large knife during the robbery.

Evan O’Leary of Churchfield Terrace East, Churchfield, carried out the robbery on the afternoon of April 6 last year at the Spar shop, Close’s Road, Farranree, Cork, where €135 cash was robbed.

Det. Garda Motherway said: “At 3.45pm that Sunday afternoon a lone male entered the Spar where two female members of staff were behind the counter. The male produced a large knife and demanded money from the till. Both members of staff were put in fear. A female customer ran out when she saw the knife. €135 in cash was taken.

“The male had a distinctive tattoo on his right hand. The knife was later recovered at Coppinger’s Acre. On April 23, Evan O’Leary presented at Gurranabraher garda station and he made full admissions and identified himself on CCTV of the incident. He had 62 previous convictions including two for robbery.

“He was convicted on May 11, 2016, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on a robbery at the same premises. On that occasion he was given a sentence of four years with the final 18 months suspended.” 

The first robbery at Spar was committed on January 9, 2016.

Defence barrister Niamh Stewart said the defendant had heroin and valium taken at the time of the recent robbery. She said he had mental health issues, co-operated fully with the investigation and apologised for carrying out the robbery. He is presently on methadone treatment in prison to get clear of heroin.

“He knows he is getting a custodial sentence. He just wants some light at the end of the tunnel. He apologises to the two ladies behind the counter on that day,” Ms Stewart said.

Judge Sinéad Beahn said: “It is worrying that it occurred at the same premises which he robbed previously. Unfortunately, the prison sentence imposed on him then had a limited impact on him.”