Two men refused bail after allegedly beating three Chinese nationals in their home in Cork

Three Chinese nationals – an engineer and two language students – were allegedly beaten horrifically by two intruders who burst into their bedrooms in Cork city in the early hours of the morning.

Detective Garda Brian Barron objected to bail being granted to the two accused men who were arrested and brought before Cork District Court on multiple charges arising out the incident.

During his evidence of the allegations in the case, the detective said the victims complied in every way with the demands of the intruders handing over all their cash and phones. However, even after they had done so they were beaten with a crowbar and seriously injured. The entire incident went on for seven minutes.

32-year-old Aidan Cullinane of St Joseph’s Park, The Lough, Cork, and 41-year-old Gerard Quinlan of Gilabbey Mews, Connaught Avenue, Cork, were both charged with the same four counts, namely carrying out a burglary and assault causing harm to one man and two women. The injured parties were in their early to mid-twenties.

Det Garda Barron testified: “It is alleged that at 5.45am on April 17 Gerard Quinlan and Aidan Cullinane entered a dwelling house at Millerd St, Cork city, as intruders. They were not known to the people living there – three occupants are Chinese nationals. They were asleep at their home.

“The intruders burst into the two upstairs bedrooms simultaneously, demanding cash and mobile phones from the three petrified victims. 

"It is alleged that following complete compliance with the demands of the two and having handed over what little money and mobile phones they had the three residents were then subjected to a vicious and sustained assault at the hands of Aidan Cullinane and Gerard Quinlan, where all three were beaten with a crowbar.

“It resulted in significant injuries. One man had a 7 cm laceration to his forehead and other injuries.

“A young woman had a 4 cm laceration to her scalp and multiple abrasions and bruising to her face, arm, shoulder abdomen and back. She sustained three broken ribs.

“A second woman suffered several wounds to her dominant right hand, including two broken bones. It required surgical intervention and stabilisation by insertion of metal wire.

“The horrific ordeal lasted approximately seven minutes. They escaped with €200 approximately and a laptop.” 

Recovery time from the physical injuries has been put at various lengths from three to 12 months.

"A huge quantity of CCTV was harvested in the investigation tracking suspects to and from the scene,” Det Garda Barron said.

The detective said no bail conditions would satisfy the state and he said that there were real concerns for the safety of the community if either of the accused was released on bail.

Aidan Cullinane, represented by solicitor Frank Buttimer, and Gerard Quinlan, represented by barrister William Bulman, were both refused bail by Judge Philip O’Leary who remanded them in custody until October 2 at Cork District Court. Sergeant John Kelleher said directions would be sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions.