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A HUNT is underway for a prolific armed robber after he escaped from Mountjoy prison Monday night.
Stephen Bollard, who has used a variety of weapons including an imitation firearm, knives and a wheel wrench to terrorize his victims, escaped from prison while returning from work in the officers’ mess at approximately 5 p.m.
The alarm was raised and Gardai was notified after officers realized that a member of the mess task force had not returned.
A source confirmed that the Gardai were alerted immediately, but Bollard, who is serving a six-year sentence for a series of armed robberies, has yet to be arrested.
In 2018, the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard how Bollard tried to fuel his drug addiction when he used implements such as an imitation firearm, knives and a wheel clamp to “terrorize” his victims.
The court heard that the 29-year-old was identified by CCTV in most of the six robberies. He was out on bail for the first offense when he committed the subsequent offenses.
When he was arrested in connection with one of the robberies, Bollard was searched at a Garda station and € 270 worth of cocaine was found hidden in a plastic bag hidden behind his scrotum.
Bollard left the country and went to live in Scotland in late 2014.
He was returned to Ireland in 2018 on the foot of a European arrest warrant after serving a sentence for robbery in Edinburgh.
Bollard, residing at Gracefield Avenue, Artane and Harmonstown Road, Harmonstown, Dublin, pleaded guilty to six robberies at various locations in North Dublin and possession of cocaine between April and November 2014.
Two robbery charges were taken into consideration at the Raheny DART station in May 2014.
Judge Martin Nolan noted that Bollard had used an imitation firearm, knives and a wheel clamp during the robberies to “terrorize” the people he encountered.
He said he had no doubt Bollard was stealing to fuel his drug problem at the time, but said he must have known what he was doing was seriously wrong.
Judge Nolan took into account Bollard’s guilty plea and cooperation, as well as steps he had taken to reform himself. He observed the content of a psychological report delivered to the court.
He imposed consecutive sentences for a total of six years that went back to the previous January.
Defense attorney Rebecca Smith BL said Bollard had a very difficult upbringing and became involved with substance abuse at a young age. He said he served a 15-year sentence for possession of drugs after being asked, as a vulnerable young man, to transport them.
The lawyer said he did well for a time after his release from St Patrick’s Institution, but escalating problems in his early twenties led to drug debt that he had to pay off. She said the crimes in court were committed on the basis of her drug addiction.
He said Bollard had left Ireland in November 2014 to live with his father in Scotland.
He served time for robbery there and was returned to Ireland in February 2018 after being arrested upon release from prison.
He has been in detention since his return to Ireland.
Ms Smith said that she had used her time in custody in Scotland well in terms of rehabilitation.
He handed over a letter from Bollard saying he regretted the crimes he had committed. He said that he wanted to participate in a treatment program and had the support of his mother.
Ms. Smith provided a psychological report describing Bollard’s family history and personal circumstances.
She said her life had changed, but that she was on her way back and wanted to change things.
Anyone who knows the whereabouts of the bollards should contact their local garda station.
Online editors
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