Machete-Wielding Burglar In Devil Mask Pleads Guilty To Westmeath Aggravated Burglary

Thursday, 6 March 2025 14:31

A gang of four pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary of a student house on the 19th of April 2024.

A court had heard a machete-wielding burglar, in a "devil" mask, led a botched raid of an Athlone student house mistakenly ransacked, in a bid to steal drugs and cash.

A gang of four are pleading guilty to aggravated burglary of a student house on the 19th of April last year.

During the hearing at Mullingar Circuit Criminal Court, it was revealed terrified students were awoken in the middle of the night as raiders, including one armed with a baseball bat, broke in and smashed through doors.

The gang of four fled minutes later as the "main protagonist", 23 year old Quintan Ncube, who was armed with a two-foot blade, shouted when he realised they had broken into the "wrong house".

Ncube, of no fixed address, and 20 year old Adeniyi Oluwadamilare, of Church Hills Road, Coosan, Athlone, Westmeath both pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary.

23 year old Michal Pawtowska, of Auburn Height, Athlone, pleaded guilty to a less serious burglary charge.

His 27-year-old sister, Katarzyna Pawtowska, a mother of two of the same address, admitted to a connected charge for interfering in an investigation.

One of the students told gardai, they were in fear for their life.

Gardai learned they went to the house intending to steal cannabis and money.

The knife with a serrated edge was located under Katarazyna Pawtowska's bed when her home was searched by gardai two days later.

Shop worker Oluwadamilare was co-operative and apologetic. He said he was pressured by Ncube and Michal Pawtowska to get involved.

Miss Pawtowska, who acted as the driver, said she had allowed the knife to be hidden under her bed, had mental health difficulties, changed her peer group and moved to Ballaghaderreen, in Roscommon.

While Mr Pawtowska admitted he went along with the plan motivated by the belief there were drugs in the house.

When interviewed by gardai, Ncube, originally from Zimbabwe, made denials but pleaded guilty in court. He had 22 prior convictions.

The co-defendants have no recorded prior convictions.

Judge Keenan Johnson has adjourned sentencing until July.