Man mugged a woman who was using a walking frame in Louth

A 29 year old man who mugged a woman who was using a walker half an hour after attempting a handbag snatch in another part of the town was jailed for two years at Dundalk Circuit Court last week.

Beau Mullen with an address at Seatown Place, Dundalk pleaded guilty to the robbery of a handbag and purse worth €300 at Williamson's Mall, Dundalk on Sunday October 15th 2023 and with attempted robbery at Bachelors Walk on the same date.

Judge Dara Hayes noted the first injured party was knocked to the ground by the defendant, who he said, shook her violently in an effort to get her handbag before he fled empty handed.

The other, who has osteoarthritis, was effectively frozen to the spot, after he pulled her walker away from her to steal her handbag which was wrapped around it.

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The defendant was arrested after being chased by a passer-by to his home.

The sentencing hearing had previously been adjourned to allow the second woman to make a victim impact statement.

Last Wednesday the court heard that victim now struggles to go into town now and had trouble sleeping for months after the robbery and panics when she sees someone with a bandana over their face in case it’s the defendant.

Judge Dara Hayes said the 29 year old defendant had taken a significant quantity of illicit tablets on the day of the offence.
He has taken significant steps in his rehabilitation in recent times, having relapsed, and shows potential for going through rigorous detoxification.

He imposed concurrent sentences totalling three years and three months with the final 15 months suspended, subject to him entering a good behaviour bond and placing himself under the supervision of the Probation Service for 15 months post release.

The sentence was backdated to October 4th last to allow for time spent in custody.