Three teenagers jailed for roles in aggravated burglary

Three teenagers have been jailed for an aggravated burglary during which threats were made to rape a woman and to cut off her son’s fingers with a meat cleaver.

Two accused were aged 16, and one aged 17, last November, when they and two others broke down the door of the woman’s Dublin home and overpowered her, before demanding money.

During the early-morning attack, an unidentified raider took his penis out and said he would rape the woman while her 10-year-old son was present.

The victim said she was terrified during the 25 minute ordeal, which only ended when she showed them where she had hidden €30,000 in cash takings from a restaurant.

She said she was constantly thinking about the burglary and was scared the raiders would come back.

Liam Fox, aged 18, of Rossfield Park, Tallaght, Dublin, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to aggravated burglary and car theft at a house in Dublin on November 11, 2014 . His only other convictions are for minor road traffic offences.

Two others, who cannot be identified, as they are still juveniles, pleaded to the same offences. They have no previous convictions.

Giollaiosa O Lideadha, SC, defending Fox, said the evidence was that the three accused had embarked on a joint enterprise and this involved making threats, but that it did not include the threat of rape.

Eilis Brennan BL, prosecuting, said that the Director of Public Prosecutions now accepted that the common design did not include the sexual threats.

Mr O Lideadha said there was no suggestion Fox carried out the “vile sexual acts”.

He said his client was deeply remorseful and regrets what he did.

Judge Martin Nolan imposed custodial sentences of eight years, with three and a half suspended, on Fox and one of the other men.

He imposed a sentence of eight years, with three suspended, on the other juvenile.

He said: “If they were somewhat older and more mature, the sentences would be more severe. Hopefully, they can reform themselves.

“What they did will have long-term effects on the injured parties and, hopefully, that will bear on their consciences.”

One of the juveniles had also pleaded guilty to a burglary, while the third man had admitted carrying out what the court described as a “spree of burglaries” around the same time.