Burglary accused asked why he had to appear in court

A 34-year-old man accused of burgling three apartments in a complex in Cork where he left a note in one woman’s home with his name and phone number and two unopened condoms asked on Monday why he had to appear in court.

The Director of Public Prosecutions decided that it was a suitable case to be dealt with summarily at the district court rather than by judge and jury at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

At that point Sergeant Aisling Murphy asked to have the case against Szymon Kaczorowski of Farran, Ovens, adjourned until February 20.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said at Cork District Court, that the accused had bail set at the High Court on Thursday but had yet to meet those conditions so he was in custody with consent to bail.

Judge Mary Dorgan that she was adjourning the case until February 20. Mr Kaczorowski said by video link from prison: “That is OK.” However, he then added: “Can I ask why I have to go to court?” This was answered briefly by his own solicitor, Mr Buttimer, who said: “Because you have to.” At that, the accused asked: “What time?” He was told that the court would be at 10.30am.

Mr Buttimer previously indicated that the accused man would be “entering a plea whether these charges are being dealt with summarily or by indictment”.

Garda Páraic O’Connor objected to bail being granted to the accused man when it first came before the court, testifying: “It is alleged that on December 10, Szymon Kaczorowski gained entry to a gated apartment complex of Mardyke Hall apartments on Mardyke Walk.

“It is alleged he entered a bedroom in an apartment where he stole items belonging to [the woman residing there] such as a backpack, mobile phone, bank cards and photographs.

“While in the bedroom he left a note with his name and phone number and details of his area of residence on it for the injured party. He left two unused condoms with this note. This apartment was occupied by two other students in their rooms.”

It was further alleged that he entered a second apartment where the female resident was at home alone.

“While she was in the kitchen she noticed the door opening and closing and she went to the hallway where she was confronted by a man unknown to her who left, but remained in the building. She was visibly shaken when gardaí arrived.”

It was alleged that he went to a third apartment where male students were sharing accommodation.

He tried to enter bedrooms but only succeeded in getting into the living room where he helped himself to some drinks.

Gardaí arrested him at the scene and he was carrying a backpack containing most of the property stolen from the first apartment. It was alleged that he made certain admissions and said he had gone into the apartments to get coffee and he accepted that he left his phone number on the note in the first property.