A 15 year old boy has been ordered to do 120 hours community service in lieu of six months detention after admitting attacking a retired nurse in broad daylight.
The boy, who was just 14 at the time of the attack in Letterkenny last August, appeared in court with his parents at Milford District Court yesterday.
The retired nurse, Mrs Anna McDaid, had to spend nine days in hospital after the attack which happened at 5pm in the afternoon as she was going to her local post office.
She was dragged to the ground and was found unconscious by a passer-by while €300 was missing from her handbag.
After her ordeal, her husband Joe said his wife still only had 50% use of her left arm and will still need reconstruction of her left shoulder.
“She is trying to get on with her life but she will never be the same woman she was,” he said.
Her attacker, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted later in court that he carried out the mugging because his parents had cut-off his pocket money.
Solicitor for the accused, Kieran Dillon, said the boy was ashamed of what he had done and had since changed his life completely.
He had now started playing rugby and found the discipline of the game very helpful and that he had also completed a FAS course.
Mr Dillon said his client completely understood how Mrs McDaid’s life had been turned upside down and that his client was ashamed of his behaviour.
He also offered a further €500 in compensation and a letter of apology to Mrs McDaid.
Judge Paul Kelly said the boy was very fortunate that his solicitor had made such an extremely careful and researched plea as the charges were very serious.
“People that have dealt with you feel that you are remorseful and that you deserve a second chance.
“But you need to make some recompense and I hope that you will reflect on the damage caused to the injured party,” he said.
He ordered him to do 120 hours community service in lieu of six months detention and put him on a probation bond for 12 months on his own bond of €500.
He is also to comply with all the directions of the probation services and of his training and employment officer and not to reoffend.
Ends