By Andrew Carey
A BURGLAR who attacked gardaí and threatened nuns in a convent has been jailed for four years.
Gary Culhane (36) of Crecora Avenue, Limerick was one of two men who gained entry to the Marie Reparatrice Convent, Laurel Hill, Limerick on April 1.
The two men broke into the living quarters used by the six nuns some aged in their 90s.
Gary Culhane searched the area for items to take but was disturbed by the elderly nuns. He told them that they were Gardai responding to report of intruders at the convent.
The second man escaped through a window but Culhane was stopped by gardaí as he attempted to scale a 12 foot wall. He was pepper-sprayed and arrested as he tried to attack a Garda with a screwdriver.
At Limerick Circuit Court this week, Judge Carroll Moran commended the Garda for his courage and tenacity in apprehending Culhane.
Barrister Michael Collins said his client was ‘somewhat out of his head’ on tablets on the night, but he apologised to gardaí and also expressed regret in a letter to the nuns.
Imposing the four year sentence, Judge Carroll Moran commended Garda Eoin Linnane for arresting Culhane despite the fact that he was lashing out with a screwdriver.
Sr Bernadette O’Driscoll was also thanked by the Judge after she said the nuns forgave Culhane for invading their home.
