Man pleads guilty to using sledgehammer for break-in at Cork city shop

A 50-year-old man who was seen on CCTV in the early hours of the morning using a sledgehammer to break into a fishing and shooting stockist has signed a plea of guilty to that crime.

John O’Donovan of Spriggs Rd, Gurranabraher, Cork, and Monataggart, Donoughmore, Co Cork, also signed guilty pleas to other charges.

On the application of Sergeant John Kelleher, Judge Mary Dorgan adjourned sentencing of the case from Cork District Court to the sessions of Cork Circuit Criminal Court commencing on January 29, 2024.

Garda Dave Tobin gave evidence at the original objection to bail in this case.

“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,” he said.

“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 said that the accused was currently serving a sentence for an unrelated offence and was signing guilty pleas to the charges against him arising out of all incidents.