Wednesday 28 October 2026Compiled from published reports. Every claim links to its source.

Ireland Crime

Every case followed from the first report to the sentence, or to where the reporting stopped.

Case No. 6534Aggravated burglary; robbery · Co. Dublin · 2 Nov 2018

Former couple jailed for attacking and robbing pensioner and visually impaired man on same day

On 2 November 2018, Derek Bewley (48), who was carrying a clawhammer, and his former partner Christine Ward (36) attacked a 79-year-old widower at his home in Artane, Dublin. On the same day, a visually impaired man was stabbed and robbed. Ward was arrested and initially denied involvement, but she later identified herself in CCTV footage and pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary. At Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, Ward was sentenced to 5½ years with the final 18 months suspended for three years, and Bewley, who has 79 previous convictions, was sentenced to 8½ years in total, though one source gives 4½ years for robbery and 7½ years for aggravated burglary to run consecutively.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced15 Feb
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
  • Bewley came into the hallway with a clawhammer, shouting and demanding money.
  • The widower was struck in the ear with the clawhammer, shattering his hearing aid, and was stabbed repeatedly on his hands.
  • The visually impaired man was stabbed nine times in the hand and waist.
  • An iPhone described as Ward's was taken from the visually impaired man after it fell out of his pocket.
Where
The aggravated burglary took place at the widower's home in Artane, Dublin.
When
The aggravated burglary took place on 2 November 2018, the same day the visually impaired man was stabbed and robbed.
Cause
The widower opened his front door to a woman seeking shelter from the rain, whom he knew as Christine Ward and had previously given small sums of money.
Weapon
Bewley was carrying a clawhammer during the incident.
Investigation
Ward initially denied involvement when arrested but later identified herself in CCTV footage.
Charges
Ward pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary.
In court
The sentencing took place at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
Sentence
  • Bewley, who has 79 previous convictions, is to serve 8½ years in total, though one source gives 4½ years for robbery and 7½ years for aggravated burglary to run consecutively.
  • Ward was sentenced to 5½ years in prison, with the final 18 months suspended for three years.
Other details
The widower's total losses amounted to €4,775, and he said he suffers from PTSD.
18 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatBewley came into the hallway with a clawhammer, shouting and demanding money. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe widower was struck in the ear with the clawhammer, shattering his hearing aid. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe widower was stabbed repeatedly on his hands. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatThe visually impaired man was stabbed in the hand and waist nine times. (irishtimes.com)
  • whatWard's iPhone was taken from the visually impaired man after it fell out of his pocket. (irishtimes.com)
  • whereThe aggravated burglary took place at the widower's house in Artane. (irishtimes.com)
  • whenThe aggravated burglary took place on November 2nd, 2018. (irishtimes.com)
  • causeThe widower opened his front door to a woman seeking shelter from the rain. (irishtimes.com)
  • weaponBewley was carrying a clawhammer during the incident. (irishtimes.com)
  • investigationWard initially denied involvement when arrested but later identified herself in CCTV footage. (irishtimes.com)
  • chargeWard pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary. (irishtimes.com)
  • courtThe sentencing took place at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceBewley is to serve 8½ years in prison for attacking a 79-year-old widower with a clawhammer and stabbing and robbing a visually impaired man. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceWard was sentenced to 5½ years in prison, with the final 18 months suspended for three years. (irishtimes.com)
  • sentenceBewley was sentenced to 4½ years for the robbery and 7½ years for the aggravated burglary, to run consecutively. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe widower's total losses amounted to €4,775. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherThe widower said he suffers from PTSD. (irishtimes.com)
  • otherBewley has 79 previous convictions. (irishtimes.com)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 15 Feb2024
    Sentencedirishtimes.com, first report
    Former couple jailed for attacking and robbing pensioner and visually impaired man on same day

    Sentencing report for two same-day offences against separate victims, both committed by the accused. Dated 2018-11-02 from the article's account of the Artane burglary. No existing case in the list matches these people or incidents.

    convicted, Christine Ward, 36, female, named, irish (judged from name)Christine Wardconvicted, Derek Bewley, 48, male, named, irish (judged from name)Derek Bewleyvictim, 79, malevictim, 56, male