Bedclothes pulled from terrified 90-year-old woman at 3am in Cork city house, court hears

A man who has been accused of burglary at a house where a 90-year-old Cork woman was terrified by an intruder who pulled bedclothes from her at 3am has been remanded in custody until February 27.

Thomas Murray of 186 Rathpeacon Rd, appeared at Cork District Court by video link from prison.

His solicitor, Frank Buttimer, indicated that there was consent to a four-week adjournment so that directions could be obtained from the Director of Public Prosecutions. Sergeant Dave Delea said such directions were still awaited.

Detective Garda Brian Murphy objected previously to bail being granted to the 38-year-old who was arrested and charged with burgling the elderly woman’s home on two occasions — once at 3am on December 27, 2024.

The detective said that during last summer, Mr Murray had done some lawnmowing and odd jobs at the home of the 90-year-old woman, and allegedly burgled her home in July 2024 and again on December 27.

Det Gda Murphy said the intruder entered the woman’s home at Closes Rd, Farranree, on December 27 when she was asleep in her bed and that he shook her violently and shouted at her asking where her purse was.

“He gained entry by smashing a rear kitchen window,” he said.

“This male then proceeded to pull the pillows from under her, and stripped the duvet off the bed.

“When the injured party attempted to call 999, the male grabbed the phone line from her and cut the phone line, preventing her from making the call.

“He searched the bedroom drawers for money before leaving via a back door. Gardaí from the serious investigations units initiated an investigation. The homeowner made a detailed statement, saying that the man who carried out this burglary was the man who had completed jobs for her during the summer of 2024.”

As well as the alleged burglary on December 27, there was a charge brought against him related to another burglary at the same house on July 31 when it is alleged he pushed her aside at her front door and stole €3,000 in cash.

Judge Dorgan told the accused in his appearance by video link from prison that if he was granted High Court bail he should appear in Cork District Court in person on February 27.