Women left door open so boyfriends could rob house
Two women went to the flat of men they met after a night of drinking and left the door on the latch so their boyfriends could rob the place, Dublin Circuit Criminal Court was told.
Edel McCormack, aged 25, of Kilmore West, Coolock, and Elaine Wheelock, aged 21, of Sean O’Casey Avenue, Dublin have been remanded on continuing bail until April 20, 2005, to ascertain their suitability for 240 hours community service after pleading guilty to robbing the men and allowing themselves to be passengers in their stolen car.
Detective Garda Frank Tracey said the men met the women at a city centre fast food shop, after leaving a disco in the early hours of May 30, 2003 while celebrating the end of their exams.
They had a jovial conversation and set off to go to a flat nearby, followed by the women's’ boyfriends. CCTV footage showed McCormack leaving the front door of the apartment building on the latch. They then did the same to the door of the flat.
The foursome were chatting and drinking until the boyfriends burst in and subjected the students to a terrifying ordeal, the details of which were not revealed to the court as the perpetrators have yet to be dealt with by the courts.
The women went to get food and returned later to go with their boyfriends for a drive in one of the victims’ car.
Det. Garda Tracey said McCormack was apprehended in Blanchardstown when recognised from CCTV footage and then Wheelock was arrested some days later.
Both blamed the other for leaving the doors on the latch and told gardaí they had acted under duress from their boyfriends.
Ms Isobel Kennedy SC, for McCormack, told Judge Desmond Hogan that her client was horrified by her involvement in the offence and was frightened and shocked by the men's’ behaviour.
Mr Brendan Grehan SC, for Wheelock, said she had been under the "malign influence" of the males.
Neither woman had any previous convictions. Both are mothers and live with their parents.
Judge Hogan said the women had been on the periphery of the commission of a very serious crime but had contributed significantly to its organisation.
