EXCLUSIVE: The sister of an 83 year old woman who was set upon by a 28 year old thug who snatched her purse containing €1,250 has said she is glad the family’s ordeal is over.
Frail Bridget McElchar was left terrified when heartless Monika Rostas approached her on December 23rd last as she did her last minute Christmas shopping in Ballybofey.
Rostas, 28, shoved a copy of the Big Issue magazine into the pensioner’s face as she was coming out of a local butcher shop and then snatched her purse out of her hand.
Mrs McElchar managed to get the purse back but the money had vanished and, but for €150 which fell on the ground, was never recovered.
The court heard the money was passed to another woman who has not yet appeared in court.
Rostas, a mother-of-three, with an address in Ballybofey, appeared at Letterkenny District Court on Monday last charged with robbery.
Judge Paul Kelly described her actions as “despicable” and sentenced her to four months in prison but suspended it for a year on her own cash bond of €500.
He also ordered that €1,500 of €2,000 lodged in court by Rostas’ family be given in compensation to the family of the late Mrs McElchar who passed away just four months after the brutal incident.
Now a sister of Mrs McElchar, Rose McCrory (Harper) said she was just delighted that the family’s ordeal was over.
Speaking from her home in Castlefin, Mrs McCrory said “We didn’t even know the court case was going ahead but I’m happy that it has all been sorted out.
“Bridget was never the same after that happened to her and it’s good to know that the Gardai did get the person that took Bridget’s purse even though they never got her money back.”
When told that Judge Kelly had ordered that €1,500 be given to Bridget’s family, Ms Harper said “That’s good. The family got her a lovely headstone but we can get her a nice mass said now with some of this money.”
She added that Bridget was more than likely shopping for her bits and pieces on the day that she was accosted by Rostas.
She added that although she suffered from mixed health, she was a very independent lady.
“I remember when it happened to her. She would have been doing her bits and pieces and popping in and out of the shops – that’s why she had the money in her purse.
“Sometimes her health was good and sometimes it wasn’t great but she got out and about and was very independent.
And she added “I’m not sure why she had all that money with her on the day. She could have been buying some presents as it was just Christmas and she was very good like that.
“Bridget was a lovely person and it’s just so sad that something like this happened to her. It ruined her Christmas.”
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