A 67 year old bachelor living in an isolated area of Co Cork was savagely beaten by two men who pushed their way into his home near Youghal, a court was told yesterday.
Mark Power, of Dermot Hurley Estate, Youghal, pleaded guilty to robbing Mr Patrick Whelan with force on March 28th last at Kilmagner.
Supt Dan Mullins said Mr Whelan opened his door after hearing noises and he was pushed into his home by two men who beat him savagely around the face and head. There was blood all over the kitchen and on his clothes after the assault.
The men, wearing balaclavas, and gloves, threatened him and demanded money. They got Pounds 30 from his wallet. Power tied him up with a cord he took from a lawnmower starter and later Mr Whelan was tied to the head of the bed with a clothes line. They left him there, bleeding and injured, and he only managed to free himself after several hours.
Mr Whelan told Judge A.G. Murphy he was improving since the attack and had been told it would take some time to get over it. He would not live in his house, which has no electricity or phone, during the winter.
Judge Murphy said society was horrified by crimes where the elderly were attacked in their homes. Power had "fingered" this elderly man, who had suffered in this heinous crime.
Power told the court he was threatened by his accomplice and was afraid to name him. He was sentenced to ten years in prison, with the last five suspended.