'I used to think Ireland was a safe country': Man jailed for robbing American tourist, 81, in Killarney

The woman was celebrating her 54th wedding anniversary with her 83-year-old husband when she was attacked

A headline sentence of four years was set. This was reduced to three years, and the final 20 months were suspended on condition the man engages with the probation services. Having already served six months, he now has another 10 months to serve. File picture: Dan Linehan

A 24-year-old man who robbed an American tourist in Killarney has been handed a 16-month sentence at the Circuit Criminal Court.

Andrea Bartlett, aged 81, from South Carolina, was celebrating her 54th wedding anniversary with her 83-year-old husband William when she was attacked while walking to their accommodation on Killarney’s Port Road alongside the Killarney National Park.

Ms Bartlett, who came to Ireland to see where her ancestors had emigrated from in the 1800s, was robbed near Killarney National Park and suffered serious injuries, the Circuit Criminal Court in Tralee was told last May. She had given her victim impact statement via live video link.

Tomas Starodubcevas, aged 24, of Tudor Lodge, Woodlawn Road, Killarney, pleaded guilty to robbing the woman of €325.

A native of Lithuania, Starodubcevas has been in Killarney since the age of 18. He was working in hospitality and had developed drug problems, the court heard.

He had followed Andrea Bartlett and her husband William from the town where they had dined to celebrate their 54th wedding anniversary, the court heard.

He had spotted the couple and spent 40 minutes following them, said Sergeant Nigel Shelvin. He had approached Ms Bartlett from behind and grabbed her handbag.

She suffered serious injuries to her arm and her head when she fell out on to the road. She was still recovering and her medical costs amounted to $12,529. Starodubcevas was arrested shortly afterwards and he made full admissions.

Ms Bartlett told the court she was “viciously attacked” that evening. “He threw me to the ground. I heard the arm break before I hit the ground as it made a loud cracking sound like a tree branch snapping off a tree.” Thankfully, she was not run over when she fell on to the road.

Her recovery had been “long and painful”. Her husband William had to do everything for her and she also had to hire home help and was at a financial loss, Ms Bartlett said.

The couple had intended to visit Sneem, Kenmare, and Tahilla, from where her ancestors had emigrated. They also missed seeing the towns her ancestors emigrated from in the 1800s, she said.

“I used to think Ireland was a safe country,” she said. Gardaí, the guesthouse and the people of Killarney had been extremely helpful and kind, Ms Bartlett also said.

Sentencing

Defence counsel said Starodubcevas very ashamed and offered his sincere apologies. Probation reports were ordered.

Sentencing Judge Ronan Munro noted the early guilty plea. He has no relevant previous convictions, and prison would be difficult for him, the judge said.

He set a headline sentence of four years, reduced this to three years, and suspended the final 20 months on condition he engages with the probation services. Having already served six months, he now has another 10 months to serve.

Judge Munro told Mr Starodubcevas: “When you’re on drugs, you’re a very dangerous man”, and he said Ms Bartlett made the world a safer place by making a complaint, as he needed to be taken off the streets.