Saturday 31 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. 18141Robbery · Co. Longford · 28 May 2021

Woman jailed for three years over 2021 robbery of elderly man in Longford

On 28 May 2021 two women forcibly entered the Longford town home of an 86-year-old man, pushed him to the ground and took his phone and €130 from his wallet. Rachel Robertson, a 31-year-old woman, pleaded guilty to the robbery, and a co-accused woman was previously sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for five years. Robertson failed to appear in court the previous July, a bench warrant was issued in November, and she faced 18 theft charges. On 23 and 24 February 2024 Judge Keenan Johnson at Longford Circuit Court sentenced her to three years in prison with credit for time served, the latest development in the case.

  1. Reportednot reported
  2. Arrestednot reported
  3. Chargednot reported
  4. In courtnot reported
  5. Verdictnot reported
  6. Sentenced23 Feb
    2 reports
reportedhappened, not reportedlatest stagenot yet

Key facts

consolidated from all reports
What happened
Two women forcibly entered the home of an 86-year-old man, pushed him to the ground, took his phone and €130 from his wallet, and left.
When
The robbery took place on 28 May 2021.
Where
The robbery took place at an address in Longford town, County Longford.
Charges
  • Rachel Robertson, a 31-year-old woman, pleaded guilty to the robbery charge.
  • Robertson faced 18 theft charges under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act 2001; one source says these date from August 2023, while another says they arose after she failed to appear in court the previous July.
In court
  • Robertson failed to appear in court the previous July, and a bench warrant was issued for her in November.
  • Robertson appeared before Judge Keenan Johnson at Longford Circuit Court seeking a final opportunity.
Sentence
  • Robertson was sentenced to three years in prison with credit for time served.
  • The judge recommended compassionate leave if necessary due to Robertson's father's illness.
  • The co-accused woman was previously sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for five years.
Other details
  • Judge Keenan Johnson said he took no pleasure in sending Robertson to prison but had no choice.
  • Reports of the sentence were published by the Longford Leader on 23 February 2024 and the Offaly Express on 24 February 2024.
17 statements extracted from the articles
  • whatRobertson and a co-accused woman forcibly entered the home of the 86-year-old pensioner. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatThe pensioner was pushed to the ground and robbed of his phone and €130 from his wallet. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whatTwo women forcibly entered the 86-year-old pensioner's home, pushed him to the ground, took his phone and €130 from his wallet, and left. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • whenThe robbery took place on 28 May 2021 at an address in Longford town. (longfordleader.ie)
  • whenThe robbery of an elderly man took place at an address in Longford town on May 28, 2021. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • chargeSince August 2023, Ms Robertson has accumulated 18 charges under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act 2001. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtRobertson pleaded guilty to the robbery charge. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtA bench warrant was issued for Robertson in November. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtRobertson appeared before Judge Keenan Johnson at Longford Circuit Court seeking a final opportunity. (longfordleader.ie)
  • courtMs Robertson failed to appear in court last July and a bench warrant was issued in November. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • courtJudge Keenan Johnson heard the case at Longford Circuit Court. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceRobertson was sentenced to three years in prison, with credit for time served. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge recommended compassionate leave if necessary due to Robertson's father's illness. (longfordleader.ie)
  • sentenceThe co-accused woman was previously sentenced to three years in prison, suspended for five years. (longfordleader.ie, offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceMs Robertson was sentenced to three years in prison, with credit for time served. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • sentenceThe judge recommended compassionate leave for Ms Robertson if necessary due to her father's illness. (offalyexpress.ie)
  • otherSince August 2023, Robertson has faced 18 theft charges under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act 2001. (longfordleader.ie)

The reporting

newest first
  1. 24 Feb2024
    Sentencedoffalyexpress.ie, first report
    Woman jailed for three years for robbing 86-year-old in his own home in the Midlands

    Reports the sentencing of Rachel Robertson for the 2021 robbery, plus her 18 theft charges since August 2023, and the sentence of a co-accused woman.

    convicted, Rachel Robertson, 31, female, named, irish (judged from name)Rachel Robertsonconvicted, female
  2. 23 Feb2024
    Sentencedlongfordleader.ie, follow-up
    Longford woman jailed for three years for robbing pensioner in his own home

    Reports Robertson's sentence of three years in prison with credit for time served, the court's reasons, a bench warrant issued in November, and the sentence previously given to the co-accused woman.

    convicted, Rachel Robertson, 31, female, named, irish (judged from name)Rachel Robertsonconvicted, femalevictim, 86, male