A judge has directed two Longford town robbers write out apologies to a ‘traumatised’ 85 year-old man who they callously targeted and stole €90 from last summer while under the influence of drugs.
Charles Reilly (33) of Palace Crescent, Longford and Joseph McDonagh (39) of Cluain Ard, Ardnacassa pleaded guilty to the robbery of the pensioner at Main Street, Longford on July 4 last.
Mr Geraghty BL, who outlined the summary of the case said the victim was walking home from the pub at Harbour View, Market Square, Longford when he was robbed.
“Gardaí were made aware by [his daughter] of a robbery regarding her father and that robbery had occurred in the early hours of the morning.”
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Mr Geraghty said the retiree was walking home from the pub when the two defendants approached him.
“[The injured party] describes feeling intimidated and concerned by the two men and he handed over €5 to get them away, but ultimately his pockets were searched and €90 was taken from him.”
Mr Geraghty said investigating gardaí gathered CCTV footage and were able to identify the accused men and they were able to put together a compilation which identified the movements of the accused men.
Mr Geraghty said gardaí obtained search warrants which were executed and both Mr Reilly and Mr McDonagh were arrested and questioned.
Detective Garda Orla Geraghty told Judge Kenneth Connolly that Mr McDonagh had moved to Longford several years ago and he has a partner and a number of children.
“He does have an issue with drugs,” she added.
The victim suffered no physical injuries but the court heard he had been left traumatised by the incident and in a victim impact statement he described how his outlook on life had ‘changed’ for the worse.
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The complainant also said he is now afraid of people calling to his home unannounced and without prior notice in advance and he has asked his adult children and neighbours to telephone him first if they plan on visiting.
“Before this I was able to go about my day-to-day activities without any fear, but since this happened to me I no longer feel safe and I rarely go into a pub or do most of my activities for fear of the same thing happening.
“I can’t sleep at night with worry and flashbacks of that night.”
The injured party said if he ventures out after dark he now needs someone to collect him by car as he is now afraid to walk home on his own.
“I’m 85 years old and I never had any issue walking home before this happened to me and I don’t even feel safe in my own home anymore, I need someone with me at all times.
“Both my wife and I are traumatised by this event, we now keep our doors and windows closed and locked at all times.”
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Det Geraghty said the two defendants were arrested on July 8 last and they have been in Garda custody since then.
The court heard Mr Reilly had 117 previous convictions and Mr McDonagh had 110 previous convictions, seven of which were recorded while he was on bail.
In mitigation, Dara Foynes SC, for Mr McDonagh said her client, who is a Dublin native, “is very remorseful for what he did on the night” in question and he had ‘some stability in Longford’ with a partner and children.
“His record speaks for itself, when he was being interviewed you will find reference to the methadone. There is no explanation, there is no excuse whatsoever.”
Det Geraghty acknowledged that drugs were an issue in the lives of both of the defendants.
Judge Kenneth Connolly praised Det Geraghty and the gardaí for their work on the CCTV as he described it as a ‘wonderful’ investigation.
Mr McDonagh said he was very remorseful.
“I’m very sorry for what I’ve done but drugs have left my life in an absolute mess.”
Mr Reilly also apologised and stressed he significantly regretted robbing the victim and he claimed he never would have done so only for his substance abuse.
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Both defendants offered to provide court-ordered random urine analysis and write an apology.
Judge Connolly remanded both defendants in custody until February 3, 2026 for sentencing and he requested a governor’s report and random urine analysis testing be completed on both and apologies are provided to the victim.
