Gang member who duped pensioners out of thousands of euro jailed for two years

Judge slates series of 'pernicious crimes' against vulnerable, elderly people, which had a devastating impact on their lives

The judge said there had to be a custodial sentence.

A 78-year-old man was told to travel by his mobility scooter to his local credit union to withdraw €4,500 for two men involved in a financial scam and one of the culprits has been jailed for two years for this and other crimes committed in a spree against elderly and vulnerable victims.

Judge Dara Hayes said they were particularly pernicious crimes against elderly people for large sums of money and that the theft-related offences had a significantly deleterious effect on their lives and confidence in living independently.