Alleged West Cork cattle rustler remanded in custody

An alleged cattle rustler has been further remanded in custody pending a possible bail application next week.

The accused man, Colm Dineen, aged 31, of Cappaghmore, Ballydehob, appeared before Judge Joanne Carroll at Clonakilty District Court.

Mr Dineen is charged with the alleged theft of cattle worth more than €50,000.

It is alleged Mr Dineen stole 12 Friesian heifers and six Friesian bulls worth €30,000 from the farm of Brian Lawlor at Lakelands, near Skibbereen, on November 24.

It is also alleged that he stole 13 Friesian bullocks valued at €10,000 from a farm near Skibbereen in December 2017.

Mr Dineen is also accused of the alleged theft of three Friesian heifer calves valued at €1,500 from a farm near Skibbereen in March 2023, and another eight cattle worth €12,000 from a farm near Ballydehob in November 2022.

He faces a further charge of an alleged theft from a property in Rosscarbery in April 2025.

Defence solicitor Flor Murphy said he would not be making a bail application on behalf of his client.

He said he would need to assess some more information before deciding on whether or not he would be making a bail application and indicated he would inform gardaí before the next hearing if he intended to do so.

Judge Carroll further remanded Mr Dineen in custody to appear again before Bandon District Court on Monday, December 22.

This article is funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme