Robbery of 90-year-old pensioner led to angry demonstration, appeal court hears

A man convicted of robbing a 90-year-old pensioner in Castlerea, Co Roscommon has had his prison sentence upheld by the Court of Appeal. Mark Sweeney, aged 33, of Cloonkeen, Castlerea, pleaded guilty at Roscommon Circuit Criminal Court to robbery at The Demesne on 24 August 2015. He received eight years imprisonment with the final two-and-a-half years suspended by Judge Keenan Johnson in June 2016. The Court of Appeal dismissed Sweeney's appeal against sentence today, with the three-judge court finding the sentence appropriate and proportionate. Mr Justice John Edwards outlined that the victim, then aged 90, was approached in the town park where Sweeney demanded money, then assaulted him with an umbrella after seizing it, stealing €450. The victim sustained a fractured lumbar vertebra and ongoing pain. The incident prompted an angry public demonstration in Castlerea. Sweeney admitted the offence immediately. The court noted he has mental health difficulties and a prior manslaughter conviction.