Carer jailed for targeting elderly in burglary spree

A 29-year-old care assistant who broke into the homes of a number of vulnerable elderly people living in a remote area of Kerry, robbing them of cash, has been jailed for five years.

The victims, aged between 71 and 91, were robbed of cash amounts of up to €5,000 by John Houlihan, of Douglas, Killorglin, Co Kerry, who previously worked as a carer in a nursing home.

In one of the incidents, Houlihan threatened to burn the home of a man he accosted in his bedroom unless he got money.