Man shoved a 78-year-old woman from behind and stole her handbag in Dundalk
A man who escaped from Dundalk Garda Station after he snatched an elderly woman's handbag, and returned to the same area where he attempted to steal another, has been jailed for two and a half years at Dundalk Circuit Court.
A man who escaped from Dundalk Garda Station after he snatched an elderly woman's handbag, and returned to the same area where he attempted to steal another, has been jailed for two and a half years at Dundalk Circuit Court.
Judge Dara Hayes was told that Cian Kearney (29) with an address at Oldbridge, Toberona has been sober and drug free for 12 months.
He has not come to subsequent adverse attention.
The defendant targeted the first victim in the Long Walk on August 22nd 2024, where the 78-year- old was shoved from behind and fell to the ground.
She sustained a cut above her eye and bruising down the left side of her body and is now wary about going outside her home.
While in custody awaiting being charged, Cian escaped from Dundalk Garda Station and returned to the same area, where he attempted to steal another woman's handbag from her trolley, but when she told him 'Get your hands off my handbag' he smirked and said he was only joking.
He returned voluntarily to the garda station that evening.
The father of two has 46 previous convictions - all from the district court, including 28 for theft and two for assault.
Judge Hayes noted the defendant, who had expressed remorse and said he didn't intend for the first victim to fall, had spent nine months in custody before being bailed to attend rehab to address his addiction to alcohol and street tablets, was remanded in custody in February after the court revoked his bail.
In a letter to the court, Mr Kearney said now he's sober, he recognises what a big drink and drug problem he had, and said the treatment course had completely changed his life.
Judge Hayes imposed a four year sentence for the robbery charge and a concurrent 18 month sentence for escaping lawful custody, backdated to May 26th to allow for time spent in custody, with the final 18 months suspended on him entering a good behaviour bond and placing himself under the supervision of the Probation Service for 12 months post release.