Residents want mugger out of city

Kilkenny residents want a Polish man released from prison following his conviction for mugging a pensioner to leave the city.

Mariusz Chelstowski, 36, was sentenced to two years in prison in February for robbery, but with the final six months suspended on the proviso that he leave the country on release.

The victim in the robbery, Mary Nolan, 86, was targeted by Chelstowski as she made her way home from Mass on July 10 last year.

He took her purse and, in the struggle, she received head injuries and fell to the ground. She was treated in her home by paramedics before being rushed to St Luke’s Hospital. She later died.

Chelstowski’s two-year sentence last February was backdated to the time of his arrest. With the suspension of the last six months, he left Wheatfield Prison last weekend and locals were stunned to see him walking around Kilkenny in the days since.

It has prompted expressions of concern among some local people, even though it emerged yesterday that Chelstowski may simply have been delayed from leaving the country, as required as part of his early release, by a passport issue.

Gardaí would not confirm or deny that yesterday.

Fianna Fáil councillor and deputy mayor Joe Reidy said: “My office is here on the street, Parliament St, and I have never had so many people coming into me [about an issue].”

“The big shock for people here was the court case was in February; he got two years, and we are seeing him on the streets of Kilkenny in August.”

Callers to local radio expressed their anger at Chelstowski’s reappearance in Kilkenny.

However, it is understood he will be leaving the country. The terms of the sentence suspension require him to leave Ireland for at least three years.