Man, 75, pleads guilty to part in burglary in Cork city

A 75-year-old man appeared in Cork District Court where he pleaded guilty to playing a part in a burglary.

Daniel McCarthy of Ballymacrown, Baltimore, County Cork, admitted the charge of burglary on May 20 2022 at a property on Friars Road.

Sentencing in his case has been adjourned until March 25 by Judge Mary Dorgan to allow time for the accused to engage further with the probation service.

“He needs to be willing to fully engage with the probation service and their recommendations before this matter is finalised,” Judge Dorgan said.

His solicitor, Frank Buttimer, said that even though Mr McCarthy was much the older of the two men who carried out this burglary, it was the younger man who was instrumental in organising the crime.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said the 75-year-old and a 38-year-old man, who was not before the court, went to the property that was undergoing renovation at the time and took a stash of power-tools which were placed at the end of the garden of the property.

Daniel McCarthy was identified from CCTV in the area at the time. In court he later pleaded guilty to his part in the burglary. Some – but not all – of the tools were recovered.

Mr Buttimer addressed the issue raised by the probation officer which effectively challenged the accuracy of Mr McCarthy’s account of his role in the crime. 

The solicitor said, “The background is that he and the other individual attended at this vacant house but it was not Mr McCarthy who devised the visit. He went along with the idea of a somewhat more experienced individual.

“He might not have known about the criminality but he did become suspicious as it went on and he went along with carrying certain items. There is no doubt as to his culpability but it is at the lower level than another or others.” 

Mr Buttimer said the accused would be glad to take help for his issues with alcohol and cannabis.

Adjourning for him to engage further with the probation service, Judge Dorgan said, “I want him to engage with the probation service in a full and forthright manner. I will put it back for him to show me he is engaging.”