Man robbed woman as she prayed in church
Peter Mullins, of St Patrick’s Terrace, Pouladuff Rd, Cork, was jailed for six months yesterday at Cork District Court for the robbery and for other crimes.
Donal Daly, his solicitor, said: “He is deeply ashamed of the incident in the church and feels that he has brought great shame on his family.
“He has a long history of offending to feed his drugs habit. He accepts that there will be a sentence and that he deserves it, and that there is no excuse for what he did only that he was strung out when he did it. He wanted me to apologise unreservedly in open court on his behalf to the lady in question.”
Judge Tim Lucey said: “Generally, people do not feel in any danger in a church but that is not the case.”
Inspector Michael McGuire said the victim was not critically injured but was very upset afterwards.
Insp McGuire said Mullins started a conversation with the woman as she prayed in St Francis Church in Cork on July 16.
“He threw a cigarette lighter on the floor and requested her to pick it up. She reluctantly did so and as she was leaning down he pushed her and grabbed the purse from her bag.
“Gardaí were called and they arrested him [nearby]. He was in possession of a knife but he did not produce it at any stage during the incident. Effectively, he pushed her to the ground and robbed her bag.”
Mullins admitted the robbery of €40 cash from the woman and being in possession of a knife.
He also pleaded guilty to breaking into a car in Bishopstown around the same time. The owner heard the noise and went to the scene with his girlfriend and father. Mullins spat at the woman, and the car owner’s father was in fear of being assaulted. Mullins pleaded guilty yesterday to two counts of assault
Judge Lucey imposed a total sentence of six months on Mullins and backdated the term to commence on July 17, as the accused has been in custody since that date.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
