A HIGH Court-judge has told a farm labourer he had no compunction in refusing him bail on a charge of aggravated burglary in which a 68-year-old Cork woman was beaten and robbed.
Patrick Rolston (27), of Young Grove, Midleton, Co Cork, told Mr Justice Smyth he had admitted attacking Ms Bridget Harrington - who was alone in her home at Ballintotis on December 7th - and giving her "a couple of slaps" before searching for money.
Garda Supt Dan Mullins told Mr Nehru Pillay, for the DPP, that for 15 minutes after the break-in, Ms Harrington had been badly beaten about the head, neck, face, arms and legs.
She had been found almost six hours later by relatives and was taken to hospital, where it was found she had a fractured rib and dislocated collar bone.
Supt Mullins said Rolston was arrested the following day and later made a statement admitting his part in the break-in and that he had been the principal party.
The superintendent opposed bail on the grounds Rolston was unlikely to turn up for his trial because of the seriousness of the offence and the lengthy sentence he was likely to be given if convicted. Rolston had a history of evading gardai and he believed he would intimidate witnesses.
Del Garda Michael O'Sullivan said Ms Harrington had been detained for two weeks at Cork University Hospital and was recuperating in Midleton District Hospital. She was depressed and refused to ago back to her home.
"She is petrified about going home to the farm of land which she leased each year and looked after herself. Her whole life has been ruined," he said.
Rolston, in evidence, told his counsel he had taken about 16 pints and three ecstasy tablets on the night. He denied having threatened Ms Harrington with a knife or a gun.