A man has been jailed for five and a half years for his role in a botched robbery involving a machete at a home in Athlone.
He pleaded guilty to the aggravated burglary, during which he shouted an expletive followed by the words "wrong house."
Quintan Ncube, 24, of no fixed address and Oluwadamilare Adeniyi, 20, of Church Hills Road, Coosan, Athlone, Co Westmeath admitted their roles in the burglary on April 19th of 2024.
The Judge remarked it must have been a terrifying experience for the occupants of the home, who were renting it as a student house at the time.
He also said it seems clear the co-defendants were "led on the route to criminality" by Mr. Ncube.
Michal Pawtowska, 23, originally from Poland but who had lived at Auburn Heights, Athlone, pleaded guilty to a less serious burglary charge.
His 27-year-old sister, Katarzyna, formerly of the same address, was the getaway driver.
She admitted to interfering with an investigation and was found to be the least culpable.
The Judge imposed a six year sentence on Mr. Ncube, suspending the final six months, with certain conditions around good behaviour post release.
Mr. Adeniyi was handed three and a half years, with 18 months suspended requiring two years of post-release supervision.
Michal Pawtowska received a three year sentence, also with 18 months suspended on similar conditions.
Katarzyna Pawtowska walked free from court on a fully suspended two-year sentence with conditions for five years.
