A woman who savagely beat two pensioners living in the flat below her has been jailed for four years by Judge Elizabeth Dunne at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Jacinta Osbourne (26), of Merchant's Road, East Wall, Dublin, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault causing harm to Mr Matthew Fleming (79) and Mrs Phyllis Fleming (77) on January 15th of this year.
She also admitted threatening to kill Mrs Fleming, whose husband has Alzheimer's disease.
Judge Dunne said the incident was "totally appalling" and there was no question but that it demanded a custodial sentence.
"I can see from the victim impact reports that the event had a major and significant effect on the two injured parties, and their lives will never be the same again," she said. "Elderly people are entitled to see out their lives in peace and tranquillity, and there is absolutely no excuse for such a horrific and unprovoked attack."
Det Sgt Sean McAvinchey told Mr Paul Carroll, prosecuting, that Mrs Fleming was watching television when she heard loud noises coming from the flat above and banged on the ceiling with her walking stick.
He said a few moments later there was a knock at the door, and when Mrs Fleming opened it she was pushed back inside by Osbourne. Osbourne grabbed the walking stick from Mrs Fleming and hit her several times on the head.
Mr Fleming was chased into the kitchen by Osbourne before being hit with the walking stick.
Det Sgt McAvinchey said that when Mrs Fleming shouted at Osbourne to get out, she replied she was not leaving until she had killed them both. The pensioners were saved by neighbours. Mr Eamonn Leahy SC, defending, said his client had expressed great remorse and had no previous convictions.
Judge Dunne suspended the last six months of the sentence.