Courts / Limerick / Report
Chronic addict who violently robbed recovering heart patient loses appeal
Summary
Rebecca McNamara, aged 22, of Castlerock, Castleconnell, Co Limerick, was convicted of violently robbing a man in his 60s who had recently undergone heart surgery. On 14 May 2016, McNamara and her then boyfriend, who was also charged, robbed the victim of €200 and a Nokia mobile phone on Davis Street. The victim, described by the Circuit Court judge as an "easy target", was walking two miles a day as part of his rehabilitation. McNamara was sentenced by Judge Tom O'Donnell on 30 March 2017 to five years' imprisonment, with the final year suspended. She appealed, but the Court of Appeal, in a three‑judge panel led by Mr Justice John Hedigan, dismissed the appeal, stating that the sentencing judge had acted within the acceptable range of five to seven years. The appeal was therefore rejected. The case highlights the seriousness of the assault on a vulnerable, recovering patient. Rebecca McNamara pleaded guilty.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Chronic addict who violently robbed recovering heart patient loses appeal. Charges or matters: robbing the man of €200 and a Nokia mobile phone on Davis Street, in the city, on May 14, 2016. Procedural stage: appeal
When:
- May 14, 2016 Hearing Or Sentence
- March 30, 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- 2018-05-10 Publication
Why: The victim, described as an "easy target" by the Circuit Court judge, had just undergone heart surgery and in order to rehabilitate himself and to prepare for further surgery, his doctors had told him to walk two miles a day. CNI source report
Case subjects
Convicted Person
Charges: robbing the man of €200 and a Nokia mobile phone on Davis Street, in the city, on May 14, 2016 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: McNamara was sentenced at Limerick Circuit Criminal Court to five years imprisonment with the final year suspended by Judge Tom O'Donnell on March 30, 2017. She was known to gardai as a "chronic drug user" and was subject to a suspended sentence at the time this offence was committed.
Places mentioned
- Davis Street
- Limerick
- Limerick Circuit Criminal Court
- Court of Appeal
- Davis Street
Topics
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