Robber who struck cleric awaits fate

An 83-year-old Christian Brother who intervened in an effort to prevent a jeweller being robbed of a gold bracelet was knocked to the floor during the crime and yesterday the accused was remanded in custody for sentencing on September 8.

Desmond Costello, 42, of 1 Lissadin, Rathkeale, Co Limerick, was a builder who was very busy during the boom years but resorted to using cocaine when the work ran out and he clocked up a €5,000 debt.