Addict apologised during robbery

A HEROIN addict who was desperate for cash to buy drugs robbed a 75-year-old woman in Cork city but was apologising to her victim in the course of the robbery.

Fionnula Moloney, aged 34, was before Cork Circuit Criminal Court yesterday in relation to the robbery of the elderly woman on June 19, 2010 at St Patrick’s Hill, Cork.

Moloney was in court yesterday for a bail application to be released in advance of sentencing so that she could try to get on a drug rehabilitation programme.

Despite garda objections to bail, Judge Patrick J Moran released her on bail until March 2.

The sentencing hearing on that date will also hear updated information on Moloney’s progress in getting treatment for her drug problem.

Moloney is charged with robbing an elderly woman of her handbag containing €16 back in June last year.

Defence barrister, Donal O’Sullivan, said yesterday: “She has a serious addiction problem. When the actual robbery was on-going she was apologising saying she needed the money for heroin.”

Garda Michelle Quinn said the defendant was previously given bail on strict conditions but she came to the attention of gardaí again on Saturday, February 12, when she was seen in the company of known heroin users.