A former drug addict who stole a woman's handbag containing a 1922 All-Ireland football medal has been jailed for five years by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. Garda David Kemp told prosecuting counsel, Ms Isobel Kennedy, the robbery happened after the woman's car had a puncture on Santry Avenue, Dublin, and her daughter went to get help.
Her handbag also contained £570 cash and the medal valued at £1,000. Neither medal nor cash has been recovered.
Richard Carroll (23), of Coultry Crescent, Ballymun, pleaded guilty to stealing the handbag and its contents on November 3rd, 1996. He also admitted stealing three boxes of children's video cassettes from the back of a truck on October 23rd, 1996.
He has 15 previous convictions.
Garda Kemp said Carroll came to the woman at her car and said he had told her daughter where she could find a public telephone. He then offered to try and change the wheel for her, but the woman said help would be coming.
Carroll repeatedly asked her for the car keys, saying he would change the wheel, but then grabbed her handbag.
She resisted, and he put his hands around her throat and threatened to kill her and her daughter's baby unless she let go of the bag.
The woman claimed Carroll also threatened to use a syringe and give her AIDS. She let him take her bag.
Judge O'Connor advised Carroll to use his time in prison to learn how to read and write.
He should also continue to take treatment to remain off drugs so that he could stay out of trouble when he was released.