Man, 50, accused of sledgehammer break-in at Cork city premises

A 50-year-old man was allegedly seen in the early hours of a morning using a sledgehammer in an attempt to break into TW Murray’s, which sells products for fishing and shooting, a court has heard.

That was the allegation made at Cork District Court as the accused man, John O’Donovan of Spriggs Rd, Gurranabraher, Cork, and Monataggart, Donoughmore, Co Cork.

He applied to be released from prison on bail on this charge of attempted burglary and two other charges of burglary — all in Cork City centre premises.

Judge Joanne Carroll refused the application for bail and remanded the accused in custody until November 2.

Garda Dave Tobin said the objection to bail was based on factors including the seriousness of the alleged offences.

“Gardaí responded to a call in relation to a burglary at the Linen Weaver Bar on Paul St which occurred earlier that morning, July 3,” Gda Tobin told Cork District Court.

“It is alleged that he was identified on CCTV wearing clothes matching the description of him on Cornmarket St, where he was found in possession of bottles of alcohol identified as taken from the Linen Weaver Bar.

“It is further alleged that he was seen on the same date — at 4.37am — attempting to break the lock of the door of TW Murray’s using a sledgehammer.

“The man can be seen walk down Carey’s Lane, change his clothes from a camouflage jacket to a black jacket, and return to the front door of TW Murray’s and look through the door.

“He can then be seen walk down Carey’s Lane towards the Linen Weaver Bar.

“On July, 1 it is alleged that the same man gained entry to the Søstrene Grene shop on St Patrick’s Street and interfered with a number of cash registers and stole items of stock from the store.”

Solicitor Diarmuid Kelleher did not cross-examine the garda witness or call evidence from Mr O’Donovan, who appeared in Cork District Court via video link from prison.

Refusing bail, Judge Carroll remanded the accused in custody for a fortnight.