Man and woman allegedly claimed to be ISPCA staff in order to steal, court told

A man and woman allegedly pretending to be from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ISPCA) investigating the welfare of a dog belonging to an elderly woman were charged with burgling her home.

Garda James Bird objected to bail being granted to 37-year-old Lisa Lenihan of 55 Courtown Drive, Knocknaheeny, Cork, in relation to the alleged incident on Tuesday, May 6.

Bail was refused and she was remanded in custody until May 14.

David Cronin, aged 59, of St Vincent’s Hostel, Anglesea Terrace, Cork, faced the same burglary charge — brought against him by Garda Ronan O’Sullivan — and made no bail application. He was also remanded in custody until next week.

The seriousness of the matter was one of the grounds for the objections to bail during Ms Lenihan’s application.

She was charged with burglary and possession of cash stolen from the house in the sum of €350.

It was alleged that both defendants were captured on CCTV entering Corcoran’s Quay in Blackpool, Cork, shortly before 5pm on Tuesday.

The allegation was that both defendants entered the building under false pretences that there were complaints about a dog in the elderly woman’s home, and that they were checking on the welfare of the dog as workers from the ISPCA.

“It will be alleged that Lisa Lenihan spoke to and distracted the injured party as her co-accused checked the house and stole a pink purse with the money in it,” Garda Bird said.

“The co-accused then leaves the house and beckons Lisa Lenihan, and he leaves with €2,515 in notes.”

It was alleged that Lisa Lenihan was aware of the stolen cash from the joint venture, and that she was later found in possession of some of the cash from the burglary.

Judge Mary Dorgan refused bail.

Both defendants were represented by solicitor Frank Buttimer.