'This incident will stay with me as long as I live': Two men jailed for robbing 93-year-old after she collected her pension

The violent robbery of a 93-year-old woman who was followed for seven minutes by her two attackers was “a scarcely comprehensible act of thuggery in broad daylight in Cork city.” 

Judge Helen Boyle said the courageous victim was entitled to walk from her home without being set upon by two men who targeted her and robbed her.

Judge Helen Boyle imposed the jail terms of ten years with the last year suspended on 35-year-old Damian Fitzgerald of Inniscarra Road, Fair Hill, Cork, and 32-year-old Damien Long of Ardbhaile, Mayfield. Fitzgerald had over 200 previous convictions, Long had more than 100.

“This was a scarcely comprehensible act of thuggery in broad daylight in Cork city on a 93-year-old lady carrying out her weekly routine at St Luke’s – a beautiful area of the city with a population of old and young,” Judge Boyle said.

Judge Boyle noted that the two accused only pleaded guilty after the victim turned up in court on the morning a jury was sworn in for the trial of the duo. 

“In a city of brave and courageous ladies, she came to court on her Roleator to give evidence – I would like her family to know how brave she is.” 

Detective Inspector Denis Lynch said that on the afternoon of November 9 2022, the 93-year-old woman left St Luke’s Post Office but she was followed by the two men.

“Just as she turned off on to Charlemont Terrace, she felt her bag being caught off her shoulder from behind. She tried to hold on to the bag and as she looked around she saw two males - one of the males was running off as the other continued to pull violently at the bag.

“As a result of the force being applied, she fell to the ground and one of the males ran off with her bag – both males ran in the same direction towards town while the pensioner was in instant pain and screamed for assistance and help.

“A woman heard the screams and came to the pensioner’s assistance while a man tried to trip one of the males, but they escaped and he contacted the gardaí and two officers were quickly on the scene as were the emergency services.” 

She suffered life changing injuries including multiple fractures to her pelvis.

Det Insp Lynch said that a team from Watercourse Road Garda Station under Det Sgt Kieran O’Sullivan and Det Garda Paraic White began an investigation and after harvesting a huge amount of CCTV footage, they identified Fitzgerald and Long as suspects.

Gardaí arrested both men on November 12 for questioning and they interviewed Fitzgerald four times but he exercised his right to silence and they also interviewed Long four times and denied that it was him on the CCTV, denied being on Wellington Road and denied any knowledge of the robbery.

It was only after a jury was sworn in that for the first time they admitted the robbery and pleaded guilty.

Judge Boyle was shown CCTV footage of the two men following the pensioner as she walked home from the post office on the day she was robbed.

Insp Lynch said: “It is clear from the CCTV footage shown to the court that this was a premeditated, planned crime in that a vulnerable elderly lady going about her daily routine was subjected to this violent robbery that has totally changed her life."

Victim impact statement

“In my 80s and 90s I felt fortunate to be well enough to be living a full and independent life - shopping, cooking for myself, driving myself to play bridge, going into town to get mass and browse the shops and most especially, attending social gatherings with friends and family," the woman said in a victim impact statement, through one of her sons.

She said that after cocooning during Covid she was happy and relieved to regain her normal life afterwards – even including “the odd weekend away with the bridge girls” - and noted that some of her friends were not so fortunate and had remained dependent.

“Then came that awful afternoon in November when I was attacked and robbed, not just of my handbag but of my recently regained normal life. I never in my life experienced such fear. I could not comprehend how such a horrible act could happen to a 93-year-old woman.

“The multiple fractures I sustained as a result of being knocked to and dragged along the ground left me in excruciating pain and a prisoner in my own home for many months. I was put on massive doses of painkillers to help with pain management. While these did help I was still in great pain on a daily basis for a number of months and my independence was taken from me.

“My family… had to provide 24-hour care for me and while I know they all care greatly for me this impacted them and their family lives. I consider myself very lucky to have such a wonderful family and appreciate so much their support throughout this ordeal.

“My life became challenging overnight. I was unable to get out to play bridge or meet my friends. I was unable to walk down town which I have been doing for the last 63 years from home. I missed a number of family occasions.” 

She thanked health care professionals in helping her progress from a wheelchair to a Roleator. She also thanked gardaí, especially Garda Paraic White who lead the investigation.

“The two accused could have spared me coming to court had they pleaded guilty. Instead they forced me to come to court last week, adding more pain to what they had already inflicted on me.

“My life as I knew it has changed immeasurably as a result of this terrible crime and sadly, I feel this incident will stay with me for as long as I live.” 

Apologies from the accused

Damien Long, 32, read a letter from the witness box to the victim of the robbery.

“I would like to express by most sincere apologies. I am so sorry for what happened. I hold my hands high and my head down.

“It will haunt me for the rest of my life – I deserve every year of it. I ask God to look over you and keep you safe. I don’t know how to repay you. I do deserve my punishment.

“I am so sorry for the pain you and your family have been put through.

“I pray to God for forgiveness for the sins I have committed. I feel so ashamed of what I did on that day.

“If you don’t mind I will pray for you every day. I will be punishing myself for a long time.” 

Defence senior counsel Jane Hyland said Long could be distinguished from his co-accused in that he (Long) did not pull the injured party to the ground but left the scene and ran away once she held on to her bag.

Ms Hyland acknowledged the comment from Inspector Denis Lynch that “the remorse has come too late.” 

Defence senior counsel Seamus Roche read out a letter of apology to the injured party which was written by Damian Fitzgerald where he said: “I am so so sorry for what I have caused and done to you. I mean it from the bottom of my heart. It is a living hell I have put you through. I would love to be able to put it right.

“I want you to know if there was anything I could do for you I would do it in a heartbeat. I pray to God for you every day and night.

“No way could I ask you to forgive me because it is unforgiveable. I was off my head on drink and drugs. I have no memory of that day.

“The demon came out of me through addiction. It is not the real me. It should never have happened. I am a messed up person.”