Thug used girl as a honeytrap to mug boy, 15
Teen punched and robbed by up to four men outside school
DONEGAL DISTRICT COURT, LETTERKENNY
Thomas Mongan outside Donegal District Court in Letterkenny Courtyard Shopping Centre A THUG used his girlfriend as part of a “honeytrap” to mug a boy, a court heard yesterday.
Thomas Mongan ordered the girl to contact the innocent 15-year-old to tell him her relationship was over and that she wanted to meet him.
But when the boy waited for her outside a school in his home town of Letterkenny, Co Donegal, he was jumped by Mongan and up to three other men.
The gang punched the terrified teen in the eye and stole his phone that was worth €500.
And when the victim ran away, Mongan, of Taobh An Sruthain, Buncrana, shouted after him: “The next time you’re getting stabbed.”
Mongan, now 21, pleaded guilty to the attack at Glencar, Letterkenny, on November 23, 2014.
On December 23 that year, the young victim was in the Courtyard Shopping Centre in the town when he was again approached by the accused.
Mongan had heard the young boy and his mother had made a complaint to gardai and the thug warned him he would “slit his throat” if he didn’t withdraw his statement.
ADDICTION
Donegal District Court heard Mongan, facing assault and robbery charges, was battling alcohol addiction and now living with his grandparents.
His solicitor Patsy Gallagher added the victim had been compensated for the loss of his phone along with a further €500 over the attack.
Mr Gallagher said Mongan was now trying to get on with his life and has the offer of work in Dublin.
The court in Letterkenny heard the injured teen is a student in Galway.
Judge Paul Kelly said he had read the victim impact statement which detailed the physical, financial and emotional impact the unprovoked attack had.
He said he had no option but to treat this case with the severity is deserved.
He added: “This was a planned, premeditated, violent assault on an innocent young man. It was a terrifying experience for him.”
He sentenced Mongan to four months’ imprisonment, suspended for a year on his own bond of €250, and warned him to be of good behaviour.
It was planned, premeditated, violent assault on an innocent young man...it was terrifying JUDGE PAUL KELLY