A PROBATION report has been ordered for a convicted drug addict who kicked open the bedroom door of an old age pensioner in search of money while she slept. Ray Tully of O’Donnoghue Avenue, Janesboro, pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to the burglary of the home of his 86-year-old neighbour on June 3, 2011. Tully pleaded guilty to burglary and to criminal damage at the address after he gained entry to the house by breaking a downstairs window.
State evidence was given where an elderly lady was home alone on the night in question, when she was confronted by a raider who kicked open her locked bedroom door before he fled the scene.
The pensioner contacted her nephew who, in turn, contacted Roxboro Garda Station.
Tully was arrested two days later and made admissions to breaking the window and causing the damage valued at €500 and entering the property in search of money to feed his drug habit.
“I was stoned out of my head,” he told gardai when questioned about the incident, “but I wish I could apologise to that lady now”.
The woman, who suffered no injury only the trauma of the frightful experience, it was said, had locked her bedroom door for security reasons as she lived alone.
Tully told gardai that he thought the house was unoccupied and that there might be something contained in the locked room.
The court heard that the accused had previous convictions for criminal damage, possession of drugs and public order incidents. He also had convictions for the possession of a knife and certain implements as well as for theft.
22-year-old Tully received a short sentence for a similar burglary matter, Judge Carroll Moran heard, and that he was on remand since December 11 last.
Mark Nicholas, defence counsel, said that the accused fell into heroin addiction when he was 15 and that issues developed connected to his drug taking.
The court heard that Tully immediately left upon finding the pensioner inside and that it was not a “clever” crime and something that was more “spontaneous” than anything else.
He added that Tully was dealing with his addictions, and a letter from his drug counsellor was furnished to the court.
Judge Carroll Moran adjourned the matter until October 2 next, remanded the accused in custody and asked for an updated report from the Probation Services.
