Judge: 'Extraordinary' that State pays for lactose-intolerant burglar's disability benefit

The burglars fled from the farm house after discovering that the sole occupant, 97-year-old James (Jimmy) O’Connor, was asleep in his bed

Judge Garavan said that the “absolute fear and trauma to the victims that can be occasioned” by such offences in rural areas can’t be overstated. File picture: iStock

A judge has stated that it is “extraordinary” that the State is paying disability benefit for a Limerick burglary gang member's lactose intolerance.

At Ennis Circuit Court. after being informed of Edward Woodland's disability benefit for his lactose intolerance, Judge Eoin Garavan commented: “I am sure that the taxpayer will be delighted to know that Department of Social Welfare pays disability benefit for lactose intolerance”.