A man who robbed a 100-year-old woman and several other elderly people in their own homes has been jailed for eight years by Judge Desmond Hogan in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Anthony Connors (27), Tulip Court, Darndale, lifted the 100-year-old woman from her bed and carried her around the house in Malahide while searching for money. He got about £200.
Det Garda Mike Smyth told Mr Paul Greene, prosecuting, that Connors gained entry by breaking her window on the afternoon of September 2nd, 2001. She had been sleeping and woke up to find him in her bedroom.
Det Garda Smyth said Connors made off with £3,000 the following day from an 82-year-old north Dublin man living on his own. He cut the telephone wires before he left.
Connors pleaded guilty to nine counts of robbery at various addresses in Dublin, and one of burglary and attempted burglary, on various dates in August and September 2001.
He had 15 previous convictions and began the spate of robberies just two months after he was released in June 2001 from a six-year sentence he had received in February 2000.
Det Garda Smyth said Connors was admitted by a 69-year-old man to his apartment in an old people's home on August 23rd, 2001, after he knocked on the door and asked for a glass of water.
He then produced a hammer and demanded money, but the victim was able to produce only £10, which Connors was not satisfied with.
Det Garda Smyth said he then forced the man to walk about one kilometre with him to an ATM machine in O'Connell Street to withdraw more money. However, the victim was unable to give Connors more money as he had only £1 in his account.
Connors also threatened to kill a 78-year-old woman living on her own with her pet dog in an old people's home in Donnycarney. He kicked the animal before pushing her into a chair and leaving with £200.
He also robbed a taxi-driver and several other elderly men and women of sums from £6.50 in coins from a 68-year-old man living on his own in Fairview to £360 from a 73-year-old man near the city centre.
Det Garda Smyth said there were only coins in one man's house and, as he was dissatisfied with the small amount of money he got, Connors forced his way into another flat in the same building and ransacked it before leaving with £80. One of his victims needed 10 stitches to his ear because of the injury he received after Connors forced him inside by grabbing his left ear.
A 53-year-old taxi-driver received cuts to his throat after Connors held a screwdriver to it.
Det Garda Smyth said Connors had been arrested on September 3rd, 2001, but was released on bail and then committed three more crimes before he was arrested again. His current sentence was backdated to that day.
His counsel, Mr Michael O'Higgins SC, said Connors had a long history of psychiatric problems and had been a chronic heroin addict. He was also addicted to a depressant drug at the time, more commonly known as the "date-rape drug".
He was extremely remorseful about his actions and had written a letter to one of his victims apologising for what he had done.