‘It shook my personal safety’: ‘Terrified’ Longford driver victim of ‘deplorable’ robbery

A county Longford woman, who was left terrified when a serial thief suddenly 'dived head first' into her vehicle and stole her purse containing €200, told a judge she now is unable to sleep properly and she avoids the county town centre as she feels unsafe.

Charles Reilly (33) of Palace Crescent, Longford pleaded guilty last week at the local circuit court  to the robbery of the injured party on Main Street, Longford on May 29 last at around 10pm.

State prosecutor Shane Geraghty BL  said officers received a report from the complainant at 10.15pm who said a Calvin Klein purse had been stolen from her car.

The 65 year-old woman made a statement of complaint to gardaí the following day where she described how she came into the county town to get a takeaway and she parked her vehicle on Main Street as she wanted to use the ATM.

"She described getting out of her vehicle, she walked a short distance to the ATM machine where she withdrew  €200 and she put the money into her purse.

"She said she was walking back to her vehicle when she saw a male, wearing loose dark tracksuit bottoms, a white T-shirt and he appeared to be unshaven with greasy hair.

"She described he was leaning in the window of the vehicle parked in front of her car and he looked over his shoulder at her and at that stage she was back in her car.

"She described her purse was on the front passenger seat and ultimately the male who was standing in front of her car, he was waving his hands at her and he appeared to be in a panic or as if there was something wrong.

"He walked across the front of her car, he put his hands on the bonnet to prevent her driving away.

"She attempted to lock the doors but he opened the front seat passenger door and she described it as, 'I tried to lock the door, but he had the handle opened and he dived in head first'.”

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Mr Geraghty said she looked sideways at him and he was up towards her face.

"He spoke to her and he told her to look across the road and he said there were Romanian gypsies watching her and they had her registration number and to be very careful."

Mr Geraghty said the complainant was anxious and 'in fear over what might happen' and Mr Reilly left the vehicle shortly afterwards but she then realised her purse was missing and she reported the theft of her purse to gardaí who launched an investigation.

State prosecutor Shane Geraghty BL said CCTV footage was obtained from surrounding businesses.

Detective Garda Orla Geraghty said Mr Reilly was shown clothing that had been seized from him on July 5 last, which included blue shorts, a black top and black Nike runners.

Det Geraghty  stated that 'appeared to be the same' clothing that was captured on the footage.

"He was asked whether he recognised them and he replied he had previously worn them but they were subsequently taken off him when he was arrested “for a drugs search and they were on me”.

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Mr Reilly had 117 previous convictions.

The injured party, who was in court outlined in a victim impact statement that was read by Det Geraghty on her behalf that while she did not suffer any physical injuries the impact and  trauma on her mentally was immense.

"The psychological effect, it shook my sense of personal safety and security. I am always looking and watching people now expecting something to happen.”

The complainant explained how her life had 'changed' and the first thing she does upon entering her car now is lock the doors.

"I don't come into Longford town centre anymore, I have changed my route, if I do have to go to Dunnes Stores I go round by the bypass just to avoid the town."

The complainant said she no longer sleeps well having previously slept soundly and she has additional medical issues.

"I was terrified, he was right up on top of me, I couldn't understand how he got so close to me so quickly."

John Shortt SC defending, said he was instructed the offending was as a result of drug addiction and Det Geraghty confirmed in more recent times, before he was jailed, he had been living with his partner and two teenage children.

Mr Reilly said drugs was the major catalyst for his offending. "I sincerely apologise with all my heart. If I had a right state of mind I never would have done it."

The defendant asked for the case to be put back for a governor's report and to give him a chance to write up an apology.

Judge Kenneth Connolly decided to remand Mr Reilly in custody and he adjourned the case until February 3 for finalisation.

“It's very disappointing the woman has lost her faith in Longford. I find that very sad,” he concluded. Mr Shortt SC, defending, agreed it was 'deplorable'.

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