BALLINASLOE MAN GETS THREE YEAR PRISON SENTENCE FOR SYRINGE ATTACK

Date Published: 28-Jan-2009

A Ballinasloe resident who held a woman at syringe point in her van in the Liffey Valley shopping centre has been jailed for three years. 30 year old Michael Lally, of Curragh Park, Ballinasloe, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to robbing the woman on October 10, 2007.Garda Ernie Henderson told the prosecuting counsel that the woman was getting into her van after seeing a film when Michael Lally came to the door with a syringe, took her keys and told her to move into the passenger seat.The woman was very frightened but saw her chance as Lally started the van and jumped out. She alerted a security guard who reported the incident to the gardai.Gda Henderson agreed with the defence counsel that Lally had given his correct address to gardai before trying to run away, had committed the crime to feed his drug habit and was apologetic.