A drug addict who robbed an elderly stroke victim in Phoenix Park has been jailed for four years. Gerard Meleady (22), Marino, Dublin pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to the robbery on November 10th, 1997.
Det Garda Oisin McGeown said Meleady and another youth attacked and kicked the elderly man in the groin after he told them he did not smoke when they demanded cigarettes. They dragged a coat from him and stole his Sony Walkman and 80p. The victim had been paralysed by the stroke on his right-hand side.
Mr O Braonain said Meleady told gardai he had earlier "scored`' cocaine and when the "old fella went down" he was standing over him and "tripping out of his head". Judge Frank O'Donnell said he was concerned at Meleady's propensity to violence and the harsh treatment and lack of empathy he had shown the victim.
