Homeless man on robbery and possession of knife charges refused bail

A man on his way home from socialising in Cork city got talking to a homeless man and offered to pay for his accommodation for the night, but ended up being attacked by the man he was assisting. 

That was the allegation made in the case against Mark Costello who appeared on a robbery charge yesterday at Cork District Court.

Judge Mary Dorgan said that while the accused was presumed innocent, the allegation that a man who offered help was beaten and robbed was a serious one. She refused to grant him bail.

Detective Garda Conor Cronin charged Mark Costello of no fixed address with robbery and possession of a knife. 

He outlined the seriousness of the allegations during an objection to bail.

“On March 11 before 11pm, the injured party was walking on Oliver Plunkett Street having been socialising with friends.

“He encountered a man he would describe as homeless and they began a conversation. He felt sorry for him and offered to pay for his accommodation.

“They walked on to Winthrop Street where another man, also charged before the courts at an earlier hearing, began following the injured party and Mark Costello. They crossed St Patrick’s Street and walked down William Street.

“It is alleged that Mark Costello pushes the injured party hard against the wall and that the second man... joins the attack. While on the ground Mark Costello had the injured party in a headlock and put pressure on his neck. He stopped fighting back out of fear, and the second man searched his pockets and stole a wallet containing €400.

“The injured party is deaf and was wearing a cochlear ear implant which was ripped from his head and the implant could cost €3,000 to replace.

“The injured party was kicked numerous times on the ground during the robbery. He later found his empty wallet outside Jim Cashman’s pub on Paul Street. 

The whole incident was captured on CCTV. When Mark Costello was arrested he had a brown-handled knife in his possession. When interviewed, Mark Costello told gardaí that he is badly addicted to heroin, Tranax, Tramadol, cannabis and crack cocaine.