A drug abuser who threatened a 73-year-old woman with a hammer during an attempted robbery at her home has been jailed for four years by Judge Elizabeth Dunne at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Brendan Reynolds (34), of Oliver Parade, North Strand, Dublin, pleaded guilty to assault and aggravated burglary at the woman's home in Lark hill, Dublin, on September 9th, 1999.
The woman tried to defend herself with a hammer but Reynolds took it from her and threatened her with it, demanding cash and bank books. She collapsed from delayed shock three months later and was taken into hospital. She gave up living in her home of 60 years and is now living with a niece in Swords.
Judge Dunne said it was appalling that a woman of her age had to lose her independence. Reynolds had 10 previous convictions and was now serving a sentence for robbery.