Cork man charged with stealing from landlord

A 33-year-old man has been charged with stealing cash and a large quantity of gold jewellery from the bedroom of a woman who owned the house where he was staying as a tenant.

Jamie O’Byrne of Pearse Place, Ballyphehane, Cork, faced that charge at Cork District.

Detective Garda Ian Breen arrested the accused and charged him with a new charge of entering a bedroom at an address at Ashgrove Drive, Carrigaline, County Cork, and stealing property including €300, a gold chain and pendant, two other gold chains, a gold chain with yellow and white gold links, a gold wedding band, a dress ring, a silver band with black stone, a light weight gold chain, and £150.

Sgt Davis outlined the allegations in the case for Judge Mary Dorgan to indicate if she would accept jurisdiction.

“Between April 1, 2022 and September 2, 2022, it is alleged that the defendant was renting a room in the house and that during his time there he entered her bedroom without permission on a number of occasions and stole cash and jewellery,” Sgt Davis said.

Judge Dorgan said she would accept jurisdiction.

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, then applied for free legal aid to represent the accused and requested a precis of the prosecution evidence so that the defendant could decide if he was pleading guilty or not guilty to the offence.

The case was adjourned until March 27 for that purpose.

Det Garda Breen had no objection to the accused being remanded on bail until then on condition that he would reside at his address at Pearse Place and sign on periodically at Togher Garda Station.

The new charge was brought instead of a less detailed charge brought previously. That earlier count has now been withdrawn.

Jamie O’Byrne had another case against him adjourned to the same date for sentencing. In that case he pleaded guilty to a charge of assault causing harm to another man on August 10, 2022, at Weston View, Carriglaine, County Cork. A victim impact statement is to be given in court on that date.