Woman jailed for robbing victim's hearing aid and wallet in Dundalk

A woman who initially denied robbing a partially deaf man and claimed during her garda interview that the victim had sought sexual favours, was jailed for 21 months at Dundalk Circuit Court last week.

Shanice Mulready (32) with an address at Oldbridge, Toberona, Dundalk pleaded guilty to the robbery of the victim’s hearing aid and wallet at the Long Walk, Dundalk on March 3rd last.

The defendant, who approached the man claiming she was a nurse, after seeing him limp as he went back to his car from a GP appointment, got into the front passenger seat of his car.

The defendant started telling him that she was under coercive control and she asked for a lift to Toberona.

But the man noticed a change in her attitude, when she spotted a group of men and called one of them over, who she claimed was her brother.

This individual took out his phone and became aggressive and started recording.

He claimed the then 31 year old was under age and accused him of being a paedophile.

A struggle ensued, with the man holding the victim on the neck and throwing digs, while Shanice Mulready searched through his pockets.

Members of the public raised the alarm and CCTV showed her placing the stolen wallet in a bin on Clanbrassil Street but the hearing aid worth a €1,000 was never found.

In an impact statement the victim said he felt humiliated and vulnerable following his ordeal.

The mum of two, who had 96 previous convictions and is a cousin of Drogheda murder victim Keane Mulready Woods, started using drugs in her late teens.

The court heard that she is drug free since last October and is engaging with Merchants Quay Ireland.

Judge Dara Hayes noted for the first time the 31 year old is making constructive use of her time in custody.

He imposed a three and a half year sentence, with the final 21 months suspended on her ending a good behaviour bond, and on condition that Ms. Mulready engages with the Probation Service for 12 months post release.

The sentence was backdated to July 8th last.