BREAKING NEWS: A young boy has pleaded guilty to attacking a retired nurse in broad daylight and knocking her unconscious.
The boy, who was just 14 at the time of the horrific robbery, now wants to meet with Letterkenny woman Anna McDaid to say sorry.
Mrs McDaid, who is in her late 60s, was brutally set upon at McClure’s Terrace while on her way to Letterkenny Post Office in August last year.
She was knocked unconscious, suffered a broken arm, a dislocated shoulder and had to be hospitalised for a week in an attack which shocked the public.
Her attacker, who is now 15, has now appeared at Milford District Court charged with assault and robbery.
The boy, who was accompanied by his parents, cannot be named for legal reasons.
The court was told the boy was with another man and he shouted to her “Give me the money” before knocking her over and stealing her handbag.
The bag was found a short time later with €300 missing from it.
Mrs McDaid was knocked unconscious and was found and helped by local businessman Brendan McGlynn who contacted her family.
Solicitor for the accused Kieran Dillon said the boy now wanted to try and make up for the awful hurt he had caused Mrs McDaid.
He said that at the time of the attack, the lad had been under the influence of other people and did not have the maturity to say no to them.
Mr Dillon said the boy had been causing his parents all sorts of problems before the attack in Letterkenny.
He also revealed how the boy’s parents had tried to discipline him by cutting off his pocket-money which proved disastrous.
“He came to Letterkenny and had something in his mind. He had no pocket-money because his parents had cut it because they were trying to control him.
“Mrs McDaid became the victim and he caused her the most serious difficulties possible. It was a purely random attack and Mrs McDaid was not targeted.
“We have an apology in court and my client would like to meet her if possible to let her know how sorry he is. That is up to her.
“All we can do now is to reassure her how sorry we are,” he said.
Mr Dillon also produced €500 in court to compensate the €300 and an extra €200 for Mrs McDaid “as a small gesture for all she has suffered.”
Garda Inspector David Murphy told the court that although there was another person involved in the attack, it is unlikely they will come before the court.
At the time Mrs McDaid’s husband described the attack on his wife as “despicable.”
“We have lived in the town all our lives and we have never had anything even remotely like this happen to us before.
“What this person did to my wife was just despicable. How anybody can do this to another person I just do not know.”
Solicitor Mr Dillon also revealed that the accused was now being home-schooled and was attending a child psychologist.
Judge Paul Kelly said he was shocked by the crime.
“This is a very nasty and mean crime to a defenceless old lady who suffered a serious injury.
“He is very lucky he is not facing much more serious charges and consequences on his conscience.
“However I am depressed with how you have met the matter,” he said.
Judge Kelly ordered a probation report so he can best deal with the case and ordered the boy to appear before him again on June 13th.
Ends