Two men who threatened to burn an 85 year old woman out of her Co Galway home last Tuesday night were sentenced to 12 months in jail yesterday. A special sitting of Ballinasloe Court heard how the woman, Ms Theresa McDonagh, who lives alone at Esker, Athenry, escaped through a window. She had been locked in a room after refusing to hand over money.
Sentenced to 12 months for breaking into her home were Paddy Collins (19) and John O'Connor (18), both of Grand Canal Harbour, James's Walk, Dublin. Both also admitted breaking into houses near Gort and Craughwell, Co Galway, and a house in Co Clare on the same date.
O'Connor pleaded guilty to a further charge of stealing £750 from a house near Kilrickle, Co Galway, on June 7th. Anne Collins (20), wife of Paddy Collins, was sentenced to six months in jail when she pleaded guilty to two of the Co Galway break ins. A fourth male defendant, aged 15, who admitted his part in four offences, was remanded on bail to July 3rd for a probation report.