Courts / Dublin / Report

80-year-old women praised for their resilience after "reprehensible" bag thefts

Date
2018-04-18

Stage
Sentence

Primary locality
Temple Bar

County
Dublin

Summary

In Dublin, two 80‑year‑old women were robbed by Brian Dunne, who received a four‑and‑a‑half‑year prison sentence. The first incident occurred on 10 November at a bus stop off Strand Road, where Dunne grabbed a bag from Glynnis Cassin's shoulder, causing her to fall, dislocate and break her shoulder in two places. She was hospitalised for six days and missed a performance of *My Fair Lady* at the National Concert Hall. The second robbery took place on 14 November after Anne O'Rourke left a cinema; Dunne stole her bag while she was walking home. Both women described the events as distressing, with Cassin citing an €800 loss and O'Rourke expressing sympathy for the offender. Judge Martin Nolan praised the women's resilience, noting the seriousness of the crimes and the impact on their lives. Brian Dunne pleaded guilty.

Who, what, where, when and why

What: Report matter: 80-year-old women praised for their resilience after "reprehensible" bag thefts. Charges or matters: one count of robbery and one of theft, committed in the same week of November last year in Sandymount. Procedural stage: sentence

When:

November 10 Other
November 14 Incident
2018-04-18 Publication

Case subjects

Brian Dunne

Convicted Person

Charges: one count of robbery and one of theft, committed in the same week of November last year in Sandymount (Admitted)

Plea: Guilty

Outcome: Brian Dunne (33) was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for the offences, which were described as "particularly reprehensible" as they involved elderly victims.