Raiders put ‘gun’ to head of woman

A 30-year-old man who held the wife of a bank manager hostage in her home has been sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Philip Hipwell, of 21 Dargle Heights, Bray, Co Wicklow, pleaded guilty before Judge Raymond Fullam at Wexford Circuit Criminal court to having entered a house at Gorey on Aug 4, 2009, as a trespasser and committed an assault at a time when he had an imitation firearm.

He further pleaded guilty to having an imitation firearm with intent to commit an assault.

Philip Sheahan BL, prosecuting, told the court the defendant had pleaded guilty on Nov 29, 2012. A probation report and a governor’s report was direc-ted, while a victim impact report was also directed.

Det Sgt Murt Whelan of Gorey Garda Station said that on Aug 4, 2009, Ann Rohan opened the door of her home and was set upon by several people.

Det Sgt Whelan told the court that Ms Rohan was bound with a cable tie, gagged, and threatened with a firearm.

“They demanded to know where her husband was, Padraig Rohan, manager of the local bank in Gorey. She was not in a position to answer as she was gagged and unable to speak.”

In a victim impact statement, Ms Rohan said: “I was a confident, professional person, always enjoyed working, but all of that changed in 2009... They put me sitting on my sons bed. I was tied up. A different man came in, terrified me. He kept loading and unloading the gun and putting it to my head. He told me he would blow my head off... They left the room. I could hear them whispering. I thought they were going to beat me up and put me in the boot of the car.”

She said she had a nervous breakdown 16 months later and was still taking medicine for post-traumatic stress.

Judge Fullam sentenced the defendant to 10 years in prison, with the final four suspended.