Two brothers who robbed a man as he walked along the railway line in Renmore and threatened to cut his throat if he did not comply, have each been sentenced to nine months.
Bernard Ward (19 ) with an address at Fairgreen Hostel and formerly of Caislean Ri, Athenry, and his brother Martin Ward (21 ) with an address at Fairgreen Hostel but formerly of Fahy Gardens, Loughrea, were brought before Galway District Court on Monday where they pleaded guilty to robbing the man of €95 in cash and a black Nokia mobile phone on June 26, 2011.
Inspector Brendan Carroll told the court that at 5.30pm the injured party had been walking along the railway line in Renmore when he was attacked by three persons, including the two defendants. A number of threats were issued at the injured party. During the terrifying encounter the man was told to hand over his phone and if he didn’t then his throat would be cut. Cash to the value of €95 along with a mobile phone was taken and the two defendants then fled the scene.
Defence solicitor Sean Acton replied that both his clients have a troubled background. Mr Acton added that both men have alcohol addiction issues and that a “cycle” developed progressing from petty shoplifting to more serious offences such as this.
Judge Mary Fahy noted that it had been because of the defendants’ troubled backgrounds that the court had given so many chances and that it is “more than unfortunate that matters have esculated”. She added: “They were on this railway line in deliberate manner and they threatened this unfortunate victim”. She then convicted both men and imposed a nine month sentence on each.
Bernard Ward had earlier pleaded not guilty to a separate charge of stealing a woman’s black jacket, valued at €250, at The Front Door, Cross Street on December 20, 2010 and this was adjourned to September 19. A charge for assault causing harm at Tuam Road, Athenry, on April 26, 2011, was adjourned to a sitting at Athenry District Court on September 13 next. Martin Ward pleaded not guilty to robbing a man of €80 in cash at Eyre Square on November 10, 2010, and this was adjourned to a sitting of Galway District Court on September 19 next.
