Former babysitter charged with armed burglary at Dublin family's home

Sara Campbell (40) of Coolock is accused of aggravated burglary at a northside Dublin home. Bail was denied over fears of witness interference with the victims.

Coolock woman accused of violent raid on family she once babysat for

A 40-year-old Dublin woman who previously worked as a babysitter for a northside family carried out an armed burglary at their home, driven by what has been described as a "long-standing animosity" against them, the Irish Times reports.

Sara Campbell, of Macroom Road, Coolock, Dublin 17, faces a charge of aggravated burglary at a residential address on Dublin's northside. The incident is alleged to have taken place at around 11.30am last Friday.

Bail refused over witness interference fears

Dublin District Court refused bail after Garda Adrian O'Hanlon raised concerns about potential witness interference with the victims — a couple who both have existing health problems. The garda cited the gravity of the charge, the involvement of a firearm, and an assault that left a male occupant with blunt force injuries to the head.

One of the victims gave evidence in court, describing how she initially felt relieved when she saw Campbell at the door. "She used to babysit for us," she told the court, explaining why she moved to embrace the accused. Her relief turned quickly, however, when she noticed a man had accompanied Campbell.

Firearm used, knife brandished

The man began shouting and swearing at the woman's husband before striking him, she said. He allegedly hit the husband twice in the head with a handgun. The weapon was then handed to Campbell, who allegedly shouted: "Give me the gun, I'll kill him, and then I will kill myself."

At a further point during the incident, Campbell reportedly grabbed a kitchen knife and began swinging it. The witness's brother, who was upstairs at the time, was placed in a headlock and had €1,000 in cash taken from him while Campbell searched through the rooms. His car was also taken.

When the brother pleaded for the keys to be left in the vehicle, the raiders agreed — on condition the occupants waited 20 minutes before contacting gardaí and that the car would be left at a specified location.

Prior demand for €10,000 alleged

The court also heard that Campbell had sent a text message to the family some months before the incident demanding €10,000.

Garda O'Hanlon maintained his objection to bail in full, saying the "animosity and bad feeling" from the accused was "too strong" for any conditions to adequately address his concerns.

Campbell appeared before the court unrepresented, owing to ongoing industrial action by solicitors over legal aid reforms. Pleading for bail herself, she told Judge Mark O'Connell that she had a long-standing grievance with the family and said she "did not know what else to say." She has yet to enter a plea and was remanded in custody to appear again next week.

Source: Irish Times