Killer sentenced to 5 years for robbery committed within weeks of release

Within weeks of being released from sentences totalling 16 years for killing and raping a young Cork beautician and robbing an elderly couple at their rural post office, a Cork criminal violently robbed a Limerick shop manager, a court heard.

Ian Horgan, aged 30, with an address at 68 Lenihan Ave, Prospect, Limerick, and formerly of Ballincollig, Cork, yesterday pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to a charge of robbing €60 from a Limerick shop eight weeks after completing lengthy jail sentences.

Judge Tom O’Donnell yesterday jailed Horgan for five years, with the final year suspended.

Sgt Vincent Brick said the manger of Sean’s Shop in John’s Gate had left the premises at around 5.50pm on November 21, 2013.

On returning he saw a man jump over the counter and grab money from a till.

The shop manager rugby- tackled Horgan and in the ensuing struggle pulled back a hood and scarf Horgan was wearing. Horgan punched the manager who received injuries to the face and ear. Horgan was wearing white cotton gloves as an anti-forensic tactic. However, his scarf was found at the scene and DNA from it matched that of Horgan.

When questioned Horgan said he was not a drug addict, but had a problem with drink.

Outlining previous convictions, Sgt Brick said Horgan had been jailed for 12 years at the Central Ciminal Court in May 2007 for strangling and raping Rachel Kiely, 22, who he attacked when she was out walking her dogs in Ballincollig in 2000.

In 2010, while in jail for the rape and manslaughter crimes, he was jailed for a further four years at Cork Circuit Court for a 2005 crime when he robbed a post office at Clondroichead, Co Cork, in 2005. In that crime, he went to the village on the afternoon of September 6. Ted Healy and his wife, who were in their 70s, ran the local shop and post office. Mrs Healy was making dinner when Horgan appeared in the kitchen armed with a billhook. He had a hood over his head and carried a plastic bag. After locking the couple in the kitchen, Horgan made off with €1,500 in a stolen car which was recovered the next day on the outskirts of Cork City.

In passing sentence for the Limerick robbery, Judge O’Donnell yesterday said there was a violent element to the crime and the fact Horgan used gloves suggested some premeditation. He said Horgan was only out eight weeks following lengthy sentences. The reality was, he said, people make decisions and if Horgan kept on making these type of decisions, he would end up in custody.