Ireland Pair sentenced for robbery of 80-year-old man in Offaly
Three masked men confronted 80-year-old man Martin Dibbs at his farmyard in Birr, Co Offaly, on 19 September 2020, tied him to a chair, and took €45 and his shotgun. The following day, woman Therese King drove the men to Limerick where they exchanged the shotgun for drugs, while man Edward Morrissey had been involved in tying the victim and driving the jeep. Only Morrissey and King were charged, as there was insufficient evidence against the other two raiders. At Mullingar Circuit Court in March 2023, Morrissey was sentenced to six years and six months with the final three years suspended, and King received a three-year sentence suspended in its entirety with a €10,000 compensation condition and a four-year driving disqualification.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced30 Mar
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Three masked men confronted 80-year-old Martin Dibbs at his farmyard, tied him to a chair, and took €45 and his shotgun.
- Where
- The robbery took place at Dibbs's farmyard in Birr, Co Offaly.
- When
- Gardaí were notified at 2:06pm on 19 September 2020.
- Weapon
- One man carried a black stick covered in black tape, and another loaded cartridges into the victim's shotgun and pointed it at him.
- Investigation
- King drove the men to Limerick the following day where they exchanged the shotgun for drugs.
- Charges
- Morrissey and King were charged with robbery; the other two raiders were not prosecuted due to lack of evidence.
- In court
- Sentencing took place at Mullingar Circuit Court before Judge Keenan Johnson in March 2023.
- Sentence
- Morrissey was sentenced to six years and six months, with the final three years suspended for five years.
- King was sentenced to three years, suspended in its entirety, with a condition to pay €10,000 in compensation and a four-year driving disqualification.
14 statements extracted from the articles
- whatThe victim was 80-year-old Martin Dibbs, who arrived back at his farmyard at around 12pm. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThree masked males confronted the victim, shouted, and demanded money. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe three men forced their way into the house and taped the victim's arms to a chair and put a cloth in his mouth. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe men took €45 from the victim's pocket. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe men took the victim's shotgun. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe following day, King drove the men to Limerick where they exchanged the shotgun for drugs. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMorrissey was involved in tying the victim to the chair and was the driver of the jeep. (irishtimes.com)
- whatOnly Morrissey and King were prosecuted due to a lack of evidence against the other two raiders. (irishtimes.com)
- whenGardaí were notified at 2.06pm on 19 September 2020 that a man had been tied up and robbed in his home and his jeep taken. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponOne of the men had a black stick covered in black tape. (irishtimes.com)
- weaponOne man loaded cartridges into the shotgun, closed it, and pointed it at the victim. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe sentencing took place in Mullingar Circuit Court before Judge Keenan Johnson. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMorrissey was sentenced to six years and six months in prison, with the final three years suspended for five years post release. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceKing was sentenced to three years, suspended in its entirety, with a condition to pay €10,000 in compensation. (irishtimes.com)
The reporting
newest first- 30 Mar2023Pair sentenced after man (80) tied to chair and threatened with shotgun during €45 robbery
Sentencing details: Morrissey received six years and six months (final three years suspended for five years); King received three years suspended in its entirety with a €10,000 compensation condition and a four-year driving disqualification. The other two raiders were not prosecuted due to lack of evidence.
victim, Martin Dibbs, 80, male, irish (judged from name)Martin Dibbsconvicted, Therese King, female, named, irish (judged from name)Therese Kingconvicted, Edward Morrissey, male, named, irish (judged from name)Edward Morrissey