Three years for ‘despicable’ attack on disabled man

A Limerick woman with 102 previous convictions has been jailed for three years after punching a disabled man in the face and robbing his wallet.

Belinda O’Sullivan told her victim, who is a wheelchair user, that she was helping him to tie his shoelaces when she carried out the “despicable” crime, Limerick Circuit Court heard on Wednesday.

Details of the “cowardly” crime were read into the court record by presiding Judge Tom O’Donnell at O’Sullivan’s sentencing hearing.

The judge said O’Sullivan had lived a sad and chaotic life since she was a child.

She had sunk into drug addiction due to a difficult upbringing, he said.

O’Sullivan’s victim, a man in his 20s, has cerebral palsy.

He was approached by the defendant and an accomplice on Lord Edward Street, Limerick, on May 25th, 2014. The court heard O’Sullivan knew the man.

Chaotic drug user

After stealing his wallet containing €80, she struck him in the face.

The court heard O’Sullivan is a chronic drug user and has herself been a victim of violence in relationships.

“She leads a chaotic lifestyle and has been rendered homeless on many occasions,” said the judge.

The judge described O’Sullivan’s attack on the man as “cowardly and despicable.”

At the time she committed the robbery, O’Sullivan was bailed on two separate suspended sentences – one for threatening to kill a serving garda, the other for robbery.

The judge made no order on the suspended sentences.

“In view of her guilty plea, and her remorse, I have decided not to (activate) any of the suspended sentences at this time,” said Judge O’Donnell.