A COUNTY Limerick man who stole money that an 81-year-old had saved to pay for his funeral has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison with the final six months suspended.
Abbeyfeale native Jason Coffey (31), who was homeless at the time of the offence, was convicted of stealing €5,350 from a house in Kanturk, County Cork on July 1, 2020.
Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard that the pensioner, who lives alone, had consistently saved money for his funeral as he feared being a burden after his death.
Coffey entered his home at 11am on the day of the theft and told the old man that he owed him money for gutter work which he hadn’t completed. The pair had not previously met.
Garda Brendan Dunne told Judge Helen Boyle that the man had saved €5,500 to pay for his own funeral. He was counting it onto the kitchen table when Coffey walked in and told him he was after cleaning his gutters. He picked up a large amount of cash and left €150.
Coffey claimed that he only took €200 but Gardaí said that this was not the case.
Defence barrister Katie O’Connell said that the burglary was “opportunistic” and that he did not threaten the old man or use violence.
Her client, who had a very difficult childhood as the eldest of ten in a dysfunctional home, had 73 previous convictions including two counts for robbery, 12 for theft and several for assault.
After reading a victim impact statement, Judge Boyle said that the 81-year-old manhood no family to look after him. Prior to the robbery, he always left his door unlocked and went in and out to talk to neighbours. Now he locks his door and stays in bed as he has lost his trust and faith in human nature.
Imposing sentence, she acknowledged that Mr Coffey was making a significant effort to address his drug addiction and that he wants to be a good father.
