Caregiver jailed 8 years for preying on Elderly
IRELAND – Precious Moyo, a 38-year-old former carer from Zimbabwe, has been sentenced to eight years in prison at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court recently for stealing approximately $36 000 from six elderly pensioners she previously cared for in Athlone.
Moyo’s accomplice, 20-year-old engineering student Yamen Alhamada, originally from Syria and living in Boyle, Co Roscommon, received a six-year prison term. Both pleaded guilty to burglary and aggravated burglary charges, which Judge Keenan Johnson described as “heartbreaking and callous.”
Moyo, a mother of three, had worked for a home help agency for a year before being dismissed following complaints. She exploited her knowledge of her former clients’ vulnerabilities to target their homes, often taking advantage of their serious health conditions.
Judge Keenan Johnson identified Moyo as the main offender, stating she had “abused her position in the most appalling way.”
Alhamada claimed he was under Moyo’s influence, alleging she used “black magic” to control him and promised him protection.
Despite this claim, Judge Johnson highlighted that the crimes damaged the reputation of genuine refugees.
The defence noted the pair’s lack of prior convictions and their early guilty pleas, which spared the victims the trauma of a lengthy trial.
In addition to the sentences, Judge Johnson directed that $37 000 from unrelated fines be allocated to the victims as compensation.
