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Three Men Sentenced for Cree Pensioner’s Robbery

One man has been jailed while two others have received suspended sentences for the robbery of a County Clare pensioner who fled his home in terror after the ordeal.

Ennis Circuit Court has been told that 68 year old Michael McMahon has remained in nursing home care since the crimes two years ago as he's too afraid to go home.

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West Clare Bachelor Michael McMahon cycled 30 miles through the night from his home in Cree to check himself into a nursing home in Ennis after being terrorised by two robberies in which a total of between 7 and 8 thousand euro was stolen from him on February 21st and 25th, 2012.

 

As Mr McMahon lived without electricity, he believed a metal pipe pointed at him was a gun and was told he would be shot if he moved.

 

He left his home after the robbers said they'd be back for 50,000 euro from him and would burn his home down if he told Gardai.

 

Before Ennis Circuit Court 20 year old Noel Garry of Tullycrine, Kilrush was jailed for three years for the second incident at Mr McMahon's home and was given a further three year sentence for a seperate robbery targetting a another rural family. The final year of this sentence was suspended.

 

21 year old Joseph Lernihan of Finnanon Park, Mullagh was involved in both robberies at the home of Michael McMahon, and was given a three year suspended sentence and ordered to pay the victim compensation of 3,790 euro – while 20 year old Shane Donnellan of Clohanbeg, Cree was given a three year suspended sentence and ordered to pay 1,000 euro for his part in the second robbery.

 

Detective Garda Donal Corkery from Kilrush Garda Station told the court that Shane Donnelan and Joseph Lernihan were at the lower end of involvement in the crime and had no previous convictions, while Noel Garry was at the higher end and has five previous convictions.

 

Judge Carrol Moran heard all three admitted their crime, and expressed disappointment that another suspect has never been identified, while a man gardai describe as the prime mover in these robberies was not before the court due to a lack of admission or evidence.

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