Builder jailed for aggravated burglary and threats to wife
A construction worker has been jailed for 18 months for threatening to kill his wife and for attacking his neighbours with a metal bar.
Iosif Popitan, originally from Romania but with a fomer address at Mobhi Court, Glasnevin, Dublin, pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and making a threat to kill on dates in September and October 2011.
The court heard Iosif Popitan's neighbours were at their Glasnevin home watching television when he and two other men forced their way in and attacked them with a baseball bat and metal bar.
The gang stole cash, mobile phones, and a bag containing a laptop and a passport.
The 29-year-old was recognised by his neighbours and was arrested a month later after a seperate incident in which he threatened to kill his wife over the phone while she was in the company of a garda reporting domestic disputes.
Iosif Popitan blamed his violent behaviour on money pressures arising from the cost of his child's christening.
He claimed his neighbour owed him around €3,000.
Judge Mary Ellen Ring found these to be serious crimes and she imposed a three-year sentence with 18 months suspended.
