Alice Connors (36), described as a "career criminal", was jailed for eight years but had  the final three suspended, after she pleaded guilty to two burglaries, two attempted burglaries and the theft of a purse in Dublin city centre. Connors, from Tallaght, had 86 previous convictions, 22 of them burglaries.

She specialised in thefts from elderly people. She would knock on their doors, force her way inside when they answered and grab a handbag or whatever else of value was available before running off. Sometimes she was accompanied by her children when she carried out her thefts against victims, some as old as 84.

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