Donegal man who assaulted and robbed old lady given probation

A Donegal man who admitted assault on an 87-year-old before robbing her of €1,800 was put on probation when a judge ruled he was ‘just about able’ to tell right from wrong.
Michael Gilmore, 36, went into the home of a woman neighbour he knew, Cissie McGuinness at Benildus Avenue, Ballyshannon, at 7.30 a.m. on Sept 12, 2013, and asked her for money.
Inspector Denis Joyce told Ballyshannon District Court today(Fri) that Gilmore pulled Ms McGuinness’s cardigan over her jacket and she fell to the ground. He then took the money.
When gardai later detained him he admitted the assault and theft.
Judge Kevin Kilrane noted a psychiatric report was “favourable” to Gilmore, who has moved from Ballyshannon to live at Abbey Court, Kilmacrennan, Co. Donegal.
The judge noted that Gilmore had a very difficult childhood which affected him badly and he had a low intellectual level.
He added: “You’re ability to tell right from wrong is just about there.”
Gilmore also admitted the theft of six cans of Tuborg worth a total of €8 from Simpson’s supermarket, Bundoran, last April 7.
He was put on probation for two years.