Woman’s bag stolen days after abusive ex jailed

A young mother had her handbag stolen just days after her former boyfriend was jailed for pouring a kettle of boiling water, mixed with sugar, over her.

Tara Byrd was walking to her car after visiting a petrol station on the northside of Cork City on Thursday night when two suspects, aged around 17 or 18, snatched her handbag which contained her children’s allowance, bank cards, and around €200 she had saved to buy a highchair for her infant son. The pair made off on foot.

Gardaí confirmed she informed them about the incident but said a formal complaint was not made. Ms Byrd’s friends and family, however, wanted the incident highlighted to encourage people to be vigilant.