Courts / Dublin / Report
Woman who took part in violent knife-attack robberies of vulnerable people gets 8.5 years
Summary
A 36‑year‑old woman, Christine Ward, was sentenced to eight and a half years in prison for her role in a violent robbery of a 79‑year‑old widower in Artane on 2 November 2018. Ward, who had previously called the victim for money, entered his home with her former partner Derek Bewley, who wielded a claw hammer. The victim was stabbed repeatedly, had his hearing aid shattered, and was robbed of €600, his phone, and his car. Ward pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and other counts, and the judge noted the offence was against a vulnerable elderly man. Ward's sentence of 10 years, with 18 months suspended, reflects the seriousness of the crime. Bewley, aged 48, is due to be sentenced later. The court also heard of a separate robbery of a visually impaired man on the same day, but Ward's sentence concerns the Artane incident.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Woman who took part in violent knife-attack robberies of vulnerable people gets 8.5 years. Charges or matters: aggravated burglary at a house in Artane on November 2, 2018, with seven other counts taken into consideration; possession of a hammer and stealing a wallet containing €600 during the same incident. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- November 2, 2018 Incident
- 2024-01-29 Publication
Why: Because he had no car, the victim had to walk from Artane to Coolock village to summon help from his son. CNI source report
Case subjects
Defendant
Charges: aggravated burglary at a house in Artane on November 2, 2018, with seven other counts taken into consideration; possession of a hammer and stealing a wallet containing €600 during the same incident (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Ward, with an address at De Paul Ireland, Little Britain Street, Dublin 7, was today jailed for eight and a half years. Imposing sentence on Ward today, Judge Orla Crowe said these were "most serious" offences and handed Ward a total sentence of 10 years, with the final 18 months suspended.
Convicted Person
Charges: aggravated burglary at a house in Artane on November 2, 2018, with seven other counts taken into consideration; possession of a hammer and stealing a wallet containing €600 during the same incident (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Her co-accused Bewley, with an address at North William Street Flats, Dublin 1, is due to be sentenced next Thursday.
Places mentioned
- Dublin
- Dublin Circuit Criminal Court
- Little Britain Street
- Dublin
- North William Street
- Beaumont Hospital
- Mater Hospital
- Dublin's North William Street
Topics
Burglary Stage Sentence Theft Violent Crime
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