Jail for trio involved in student house robbery, including machete-wielding burglar wearing ‘devil’ mask

Three men who were involved in the aggravated burglary of a student house, including one accused who wore a red devil mask, carried a machete and shouted “f..k, wrong house” as he fled the scene, have each been handed custodial sentences at Mullingar Circuit Court, while a fourth female co-accused, has been given a fully suspended sentence.

Oluwadamilare Adeniyi (21) of 55 Church Hills Road, Coosan, Athlone; Katarzyna Pawtowska (29), of Ardhill, Ballaghaderreen, Co Roscommon; Quintan Ncube (24), of no fixed abode, but who is currently in the custody of Midlands prison; and Michal Pawtowska (24), of 62 Auburn Heights, Athlone, Co Westmeath, all appeared before Judge Keenan Johnson at Mullingar Circuit Court for sentence.

Mr Ncube and Mr Adeniyi had both entered guilty pleas to aggravated burglary at a house in Willow Park in April 2024. Mr Pawtowska pleaded guilty to burglary and criminal damage, while his sister, Ms Pawtowska pleaded guilty to interfering with the investigation.

Mr Ncube was sentenced to six years in prison with the final six months suspended for three years on the condition he engage with probation services, training and addiction services, and remain free of drugs and alcohol for a period of three years.

Mr Adeniyi, a student studying business in college, was handed a sentence of three years and six months with the final 18 months suspended for three years on the condition he remain under the supervision of the probation service for three years.

Judge Johnson noted Mr Pawtowska had gotten involved due to a cannabis debt, and sentenced him to three years in prison with the final 18 months suspended on the same terms as Mr Adeniyi.

Ms Pawtowska was the least culpable and Judged Johnson imposed a sentence of two years, which was suspended in full for five years.

The court previously heard details of the robbery, which occurred in the early hours of April 19, 2024, at the home of two students, who had a friend and girlfriend staying over that night.

The court heard how the first injured party was doing an assignment for college when, after 2am, he heard banging downstairs before someone came in the back door.

The student leaned against his bedroom door, which was locked, but felt people banging against it. He screamed and moved back to the corner of the room as the intruders kicked his door down.

One of the men, Mr Ncube, was wearing a red devil mask and black clothing and had a blade, while a second, Mr Adeniyi, was wearing a balaclava and black hoodie and carrying a baseball bat.

They took the injured party’s phone before moving to another student’s room. That student and his girlfriend had been awoken by the banging from downstairs and he similarly tried to brace himself against his locked bedroom door.

He told Gardaí he saw Mr Ncube’s machete, which was 24 to 26 inches in length with a serrated edge, come through the door, so he moved away and tried to ring 999 while the intruders kicked a hole in the door. He said one of the men came in, shouting “where’s the food?”, referring to drugs.

The student “felt threatened and in fear of his life”. The intruder searched his desk and took his wallet, which contained three bank cards and a number of other cards, as well as his iPhone worth €380.

A third student, who was hiding under a duvet in the corner of the downstairs living room since the men had broken into the house, told Gardaí he heard screams from upstairs, before one of the intruders came back downstairs saying “if I don’t get it tonight, somebody is going to die”.The intruders left after just a few minutes, and ran down the street to Mr Adeniyi’s car, which was driven by Ms Pawtowska.

Neighbours who had heard the commotion and took a video recording as the intruders fled, told Gardaí they saw two males running and a third following close behind. All three were dressed in black, with hoods and masks.

Ms Pawtowska was fully cooperative when interviewed by Gardaí and said that Mr Ncube had shouted “f..k, wrong house” when he got into the car. During a search of her home, the machete was discovered underneath her bed.

Her brother, Mr Pawtowska, admitted his involvement to Gardaí and said he went along because he thought there would be drugs and money in the house.

Mr Adeniyi was also cooperative with Gardaí, showing them the clothing he had worn during the raid, and admitting to having a baseball bat. He also directed Gardaí to where he had stashed the bat after the raid.

He said he had been asked by Mr Ncube and Mr Pawtowska to get involved and felt like he “could not refuse”.

The court heard that Mr Ncube had 22 previous convictions, including 14 for public order, one for burglary, three for criminal damage, one for violent disorder, and the remaining convictions for drugs and robbery. The three co-accused had no previous convictions.

“These are very, very serious offences,” Judge Johnson commented, “very, very serious.”

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