A mother of two, who dragged an elderly woman along the street while trying to steal her bag and later stole handbags from women receiving Holy Communion at Mass, has been given three years in consecutive sentences by Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Lesley Flynn (31), Chamber Courts, The Liberties, also pleaded guilty to possession of a knife with which she assaulted Det Garda Michael Killeen who chased her when he saw her leaving St Kevin's Church, Harrington Street, with the handbags on June 22nd, 2003.
Judge Desmond Hogan sentenced Flynn to 12 months for the robbery of a 61-year-old woman in Donnybrook on May 25th, 2003, and to a further two years for the later offences at St Kevin's Church. He suspended the last 18 months of the consecutive term.
Garda Eamon Flannagan told the court the victim was walking along Waterloo Road, Donnybrook, at 10 p.m. when Flynn grabbed her handbag. The woman did not let go and was pulled to the ground and dragged some distance by Flynn.
An accomplice joined Flynn and placed a hand over the screaming woman's mouth before a passing motorist and residents of the area came to her assistance.
Flynn made off with the handbag, but was apprehended in Leeson Street Upper by a passer-by who kept hold of her until gardaí arrived.
Garda Ian Lamb told Mr John Quirke, prosecuting, that a month later Flynn took the handbags of two women who were receiving Holy Communion at Sunday Mass at St Kevin's Church.
She was spotted by Det Garda Killeen who was attending the same service. He gave chase and caught up with her at the junction of Harrington and Synge Streets.
Mr Seán Gillane, for Flynn, told Judge Hogan she had been a chronic addict since her 20s. She was the mother of two children of whom she had sole custody.
Flynn was also a woman with virtually no support in Ireland as her parents, who were both alcoholics, lived in England.