Thug targets OAPs in homes

A man who targetted two elderly men in their homes in 2009, threatening one with a knife and tying a chord around his neck until he passed out, was sentenced to five years for each offence at Cavan Circuit Court last week. Liam Deegan of 23 Kilmore Willows, Ballyjamesduff, was also sentenced to three years (concurrent) for an assault involving a samurai sword in Ballyjamesduff in December 2009. Deegan was convicted of assaulting Liam McInerney (70) at Aughadreena Redhills on April 8, 2009 and for assaulting Patrick Murnane (76), falsely imprisoning him and aggravated burglary at Railway Road Belturbet on June 28, 2009. The assault on Christopher Higgins at Cheers Bar, Main Street, Ballyjamesduff on December 5, 2009, resulted in a piece of the victim's elbow being cut off. Threatened with knife Detective sergeant Jim Fraher gave evidence of the aggravated burglary on the home of Liam McInerney who was 70 at the time. At about 11pm there was a knock at his front door and, on answering, two men pushed him into the kitchen. They were screaming for money and one of them had a 12 inch knife in his hand. They forced Mr McInerney up stairs and put him in the bathroom. They got about €400 in cash and a cheque for €2,600. One of them grabbed Mr McInerney and put the knife to his throat and threatened to cut him if he didn't give them the money. Mr McInerney got another €50 in change from his pockets. They then put Mr McInerney into the bath and threatened to scald him with hot water. They then tied a cord around his neck and he fell unconscious. When he woke he was tied up but managed to free himself and raise the alarm. They also took his jeep. Two days later a garda saw the jeep in the Sally Gardens area of Ballyjamesduff. CCTV was examined and Liam Deegan was observed cleaning the inside of the jeep. He was sentenced to five years for the offence. Falsely imprisoned The defendant was given concurrent five-year terms for assaulting Patrick Murnane, falsely imprisoning him and aggravated burglary at Railway Road, Belturbet, on June 28, 2009, and a concurrent three-year term for theft on the same occasion. Detective Garda Paul Cullen said 76-year-old Mr Murnane was preparing dinner when Deegan entered his kitchen. The defendant claimed Mr Murnane had a gun and he wanted it. The defendant demanded money. He hit Mr Murnane on the head with something in a sock and then threatened to kill him with a knife. Mr Murnane grabbed a small axe and the defendant bolted. The defendant was two hours in the house and also took a mobile phone. Detective Cullen said they were able to cross reference numbers dialled on the phone and they questioned people who had received calls. They all admitted they got the calls from Deegan. Pin put in elbow In relation to the assault on Mr Higgins, Garda Ann Marie Larkin said she observed the victim along with two other men who were trying to stop blood coming from his head. Mr Higgins also had a cut to his elbow. He claimed he had been assaulted in the pub by the defendant with a Samurai sword. The sword was never recovered. There was an altercation in the pub and the defendant left with another person. When they returned they had the sword which they got from a shed at the back of Kilmore Estate. Mr Higgins was about three days in hospital. The defendant admitted he had taken cocaine taken on the night. Cross-examined by Mr Anthony Salmon, SC defending, Garda Larkin said part of Mr Higgins' elbow bone was cut off in the attack. Christopher Higgins told the court he had limited use of his arm. He use to cycle, swim, go to the gym and do kick boxing but could no longer do that. He had to have a pin inserted into his elbow. Mr Salmon said his client had an appalling start to life as both parents suffered from substance abuse. He was self harming at a young age. While he was in custody the defendant had engaged positively in various programme and was keen to complete his Leaving Cert. "There were appalling crimes," said Judge John O'Hagan who described the assault on Mr Higgins as "brutal" and "savage". He added that Mr McInerney feared for his life and he thought they were going to kill him. Mr Murnane was more feisty, said the judge. When the defendant was arrested he made no admissions. The nature of the offences and the manner in which they were planned, were devious and targeting in the extreme, said the judge. Elderly people who could not defend themselves and were vulnerable. If the defendant had contested the case and was convicted Judge O'Hagan would have sent him away for an accumulative period of eight years. Judge O'Hagan suspended the final twelve months of the sentence.