Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court recently heard the distressing case of Precious Moyo, a 38-year-old former carer from Zimbabwe, and her 19-year-old accomplice, Yamen Alhamada, who targeted six elderly individuals, robbing them of €34,000.
The victims ranged in age from 73 to 89.
Reports say Moyo confirmed to his accomplice that she was “into black magic called juju, and he would be protected if he did what she said.
Moyo and Alhamada carried out a series of robberies between June 14 and September 8 last year.
According to reports, Moyo, a mother of two, preganant with a third child, used her “intimate” knowledge of the elderly victims’ homes to!plan the robberies.
The court heard how Alhamada, originally from Syria, had come to Ireland to escape war but fell into dr.ug and alc0h0l ab_se before assisting Moyo.
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Alhamada, who had been preparing to attend college, claimed he was enticed by Moyo’s supposed use of ‘juju black magic.’
A complex Garda operation, which included reviewing CCTV footage and using DNA analysis and fingerprints, led to the identification of Moyo and Alhamada. Judge Keenan Johnson described the Garda efforts as “massive.”
Among the incidents detailed in court was the theft of €24,000 from a 73-year-old woman’s home. Moyo, disguised in a high-vis jacket and COVID face mask, lurked around the property for two hours before breaking in and taking the money, which was intended for funerals. The victim’s sister has since moved in with her, as the woman remains terrified.
In another incident, Alhamada pretended to be a Garda looking for a missing person to gain entry to an 89-year-old woman’s home, where he stole her handbag containing €200 and several cards.
This incident left the woman feeling even more vulnerable, having already been a v!ctim of theft by a carer previously.
On a separate occasion, Moyo and Alhamada attempted to rob another elderly woman but were thwarted by a lodger.
Moyo was wearing a wig, surgical gloves, and a mask, while Alhamada disguised himself with a hard hat and COVID face mask.
The court also heard about a particularly violent robbery of an 80-year-old man with mobility issues.
Moyo and Alhamada broke into his home, assaulted him, and stole cash and jewelry. The v!ctim, who suffers from COPD, managed to alert relatives despite his !njuries.
In the final robbery, the team targeted a couple in their 80s, stealing €10,000. Alhamada, armed with a flick knife, and Moyo, who showed intimate knowledge of the home’s layout, attacked the couple, causing physical harm and emotional trauma. The v!ctims have since moved into separate nursing homes.
Alhamada admitted to receiving €2,500 from the robberies, which he used to purchase dr_gs and a pellet gun.
Despite their cr!mes, neither Moyo nor Alhamada had previous criminal records. Judge Johnson adjourned sentencing until probation reports are prepared, condemning the duo’s actions as showing gross contempt and describing them as “an absolute disgrace.”
