This article is from page 1 of the 2008-04-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 1 JPG
“YOU have ruined my life.” That was the stark message yesterday from a 60-year-old woman to the knife- wielding drug addict who viciously attacked her.
A court heard how Jean Nolan is in fear of leaving her home alone after a nightmare attack in broad daylight in Shannon.
It was revealed that a bench war- rant had been issued for her attack- er’s arrest when he failed to turn up for sentencing at Ennis Circuit Court at the end of 2006.
He had robbed two other women — aged 75 and 23 — in Ennis in Septem- ber 2004 and was due to have those matters finalised in 2006.
Robert Nestor (27), originally from Hermitage, Ennis and also with an address at Elm House, Drumgeely, Shannon, admitted robbing €110 cash from Ms Nolan at Dun an Or1r, Shannon on November 20 last. He also pleaded guilty to producing a knife, in the course of robbing the
cash.
Detective Sergeant Michael Houli- han told the court yesterday that Ms Nolan was walking home from work at 2pm when she noticed someone following her.
She heard a low murmur behind her and a man jumped out in front of her.
“He was wearing a hoodie pulled tightly around his head. She resisted by holding on to her handbag. She was pulled forcibly and knocked to the ground. She noticed the accused was holding a knife,” he said.
“I believe he repeatedly swung the knife at her. There was evidence of that on her coat and also on the in- jury she had,” he said.
Ms Nolan sustained a finger injury, for which she received five stitches.
A number of witnesses were swift- ly on the scene and pursued Nestor. When gardai arrived, he was hiding in a Shed in a nearby housing estate.