Ukrainian woman robbed two days after arriving in Limerick
A YOUNG woman who fled the war in Ukraine as she lived near a nuclear power station, was robbed by a drug addict two days after arriving in Limerick.
The victim, aged in her mid-twenties, said she left a warzone to feel safer but “I don’t feel safe now”.
Limerick Circuit Court heard she was “scared, terrified and completely in shock” after the robbery.
Robert Moran, aged 34, of Johnsgate village, Limerick city pleaded guilty to one count of robbery in the city centre on July 7, 2023.
Prosecuting barrister John O’Sullivan, instructed by State Solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Detective Garda Peter Connolly.
Mr O’Sullivan said the injured party went into a laneway off Little Glentworth Street to either make or take a phone call.
“She placed her backpack on the ground beside her. Robert Moran, who was on a bicycle, grabbed the backpack as he passed.
She tried to grab it but he would not let go.
“She was knocked to the ground, scraping her knuckles and knees. She was scared, terrified and completely in shock,” he said.
The court heard Mr Moran fell from his bike and escaped on foot.
The victim’s backpack contained her earpods, pink purse, Ukrainian passport, documents, lipstick and €100 in cash and coins.
Mr O’Sullivan said there were two gardai in the vicinity dealing with a road traffic collision who heard the victim screaming, came to her assistance and ran in the same direction as Mr Moran.
Gardai found the backpack and a hoodie in bushes in James Street.
He was seen on CCTV, which was harvested, not wearing his hoodie and arrested on July 9.
Mr O’Sullivan said Mr Moran told gardai he had taken crack cocaine and tablets and took the money for the purpose of buying drugs.
He said the victim lived in the north of Ukraine near a nuclear power station and was very frightened by the ongoing situation.
She told gardai she lived in a “warzone”.
The court heard the robbery occurred two days after the woman arrived in Limerick.
“I thought I would feel safer here but I don’t feel safe now,” she told gardai.
Mr O’Sullivan put it to Det Garda Connolly that Mr Moran was “a long-standing recidivist?”
“Yes,” said the detective garda. Mr Moran has a number of previous convictions including for robbery, burglary and carrying a firearm with criminal intent.
Jack Nicholas, defence barrister, said it was obviously a very distressing episode. He said Mr Moran made full and frank admissions including telling gardai, “It was me I did it”.
Mr Moran went on to say: “Jail is the best place for me. I’m sorry. It’s worse she is from Ukraine. I seen it on the TV. If I can pay her back in any way...”
Mr Nicholas put it to the detective that the victim got all her items back apart from the cash which was to buy drugs. Detective Garda Connolly agreed.
Mr Nicholas said there have been a number of tragedies in Mr Moran’s family including the death of his nephew Wassiou Ayawe Moran in an incident involving a jet ski in Killaloe.
“My client has instructed me to apologise. He has an all encompassing drug addiction. He is remanded in custody on this,” said Mr Nicholas.
Judge Dermot Sheehan asked how Mr Moran is getting on in prison. Mr Nicholas said his instructions are that he is doing well.
“It is the only place he puts on weight,” said the barrister.
Judge Sheehan asked for a governor’s report before adjourning sentencing.
“He clearly has a profound addiction that he is trying to do something about,” said the judge.