Three men remanded in custody over foiled Cork raid

Three men have been remanded in custody after they were charged in connection with an attempted raid on a Cork businessman which was thwarted by gardai at the weekend.

Niall Fitzpatrick (46), Vincent Murray (37) and Trevor O’Sullivan (37) were all charged with a single offence when they appeared at a vacation sitting of Cork District Court today.

All three, with addresses in Cork city, are charged that they entered a building at the home of Pat Glavin at Rougrane, Glanmire, as trespassers with intent to commit a theft on August 11th.

Today at Cork District Court, Det Garda Deirdre Murphy gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in relation to Mr Fitzpatrick and told the court he made no reply to the charge.

Det Garda William Dillane gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in relation to Mr Murray and told the court that he made no reply to the sole charge after caution.

Det Garda Robert McCarthy gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in relation to Mr O’Sullivan and told the court that he made no reply to the single charge after caution.

Insp Gary McPolin said that gardai were seeking a remand in custody for all three and Det Sgt Sean McCarthy outlined garda objections to all three accused being granted bail.

Det Sgt McCarthy said gardai were opposing bail on the grounds that the charges were of a serious nature which carried a maximum sentence of 14 years upon conviction.

The strength of the evidence against the three accused was such that gardai feared that they would abscond and not stand trial if granted bail, he said.

Det Sgt McCarthy also said gardai were opposing bail because they feared that the accused would commit further more serious offences if released on bail.

He said gardai also expected more serious charges to be brought against all three and for this reason too, gardai were seeking a remand in custody.

Det Sgt McCarthy was cross-examined at length on his objections by solicitors for the three defendants, Daithi O Donnabhain, Diane Hallinhan and Michael Quinlan.

Judge Aingeal Ni Chonduin refused bail in all three cases and remanded all three accused in custody to appear again at Cork District Court on August 21st.

She was basing her decision on the seriousness of the charge, the nature and strength of the evidence in the case and the Garda belief they would commit further offences if granted bail, she said.

She granted free legal aid to Mr Fitzpatrick of Corrin Close, the Glen, to Mr Murray of Glandore Park, Knocknaheeney and to Mr O’Sullivan of Curraheen Drive in Bishopstown.

Security was extremely tight at the Angleasea Street Courthouse for the duration of the hearing with armed members of the Regional Support Unit outside the building, guarding exits from the courthouse.

Three armed members of the Regional Support Unit were also on duty inside the courtroom along with uniformed and plainclothes officers for the hearing which lasted over an hour.

Solicitor for Mr Fitzpatrick, Daithi O Donnabhain objected to the presence of armed officers in the courtroom, saying he had never experienced anything like it before.

“The presence of armed officers in the courtroom is unprecedented and creates an impression and escalates the atmosphere which is deeply prejudicial to my client,” he said.

However, Judge Ni Chonduin said that she had to be cognisant of the safety of all people in the court and she had no difficulty with armed officers being present during the bail hearing.