Six years for IRA man who extorted €260,000 from chip shop owner

David Dodrill (31), a taxi driver and father of two, pleaded guilty last week to the IRA charge.

Chief Supt Diarmuid O'Sullivan told the court that over a period of two years Dodrill forced the Dublin chip shop owner to hand over about €164,000 and, in addition, to pay him €2,000 a week from 2010 to 2011, making an additional €100,000.

Dodrill of Plunkett Avenue, Finglas, Dublin, told the businessman last July that he would have to hand over the lease for his main premises in Mulhuddart, but could buy it back two years later for €300,000.

He also demanded €5,000 "compensation" because the shop owner had recorded their conversations.

In his statement, the injured party, who was not identified in court, said that he ran fish and chip businesses in Mulhuddart, Baldoyle, Kylemore and the Old Naas Road.

In September 2009 he was told to go to a pub on Dublin's northside where he was approached by Dodrill who told him they were taking over a loan of €30,000 that he owed.

"He said he was the Real IRA and he would come for me and my family in the night," the businessman told gardai.

He said Dodrill lifted his shirt and showed him tattoos of men in camouflage with balaclavas and guns and 'Oglaigh na hEireann' on his body. The tattoos "put him in fear of his life".

At later meetings the businesman was told that the entire debt with interest was now €164,000. He handed over several cheques and drafts to Dodrill. He also met him every Thursday night at a car park in Finglas and handed over €2,000, which he was told was €1,500 for the loan and €500 "for himself".

Last July the businessman was told they wanted the lease for his main premises which was worth €500,000 but that he could buy it back two years later for €300,000.

Dodrill came to his house one night and started hitting him, chipping a tooth, and telling him he was "being smart".

Gardai recorded the final meeting between them in July when the chip shop owner handed over €2,000. Dodrill said he wanted €5,000 for himself in compensation because the businessman had recorded some of their conversations. Dodrill told him: ''You are going to have to compensate me or I am going to break your legs."

Det Sgt Joe Higgins arrested Dodrill as he drove away in his taxi.