Intruders threatened to chop off students’ fingers in Cork raid

Two students were threatened by intruders at their college accommodation that their fingers would be chopped off unless they handed over cash and drugs. One of the raiders is now facing sentencing before Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Detective Garda Eoghain O’Callaghan arrested Martin Ekhosuehi, of Willow Gardens, Brooklodge, Glanmire, Co Cork, and charged him with aggravated burglary at Highfield Avenue, College Road, Cork, two counts of assault causing harm, and two more of making threats to kill or cause serious injury.

The accused was convicted by a jury on those counts at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

At his sentencing hearing before Judge Sinéad Behan, Detective Garda O’Callaghan summarised the evidence against the 22-year-old.

“At 7pm on July 2, 2023, two young men at Highfield Avenue, College Road, Cork, had to run to a neighbour’s house to raise the alarm. They said two men had come through the front door by force.

“One of them was wearing an all-black tracksuit, black ski-mask, blue latex gloves, and had a large chef’s knife with black handle. The second man was also wearing a black tracksuit, black gloves, and had a flathead screwdriver and was carrying a backpack.

“Both were demanding money. They then proceeded to ransack the house, demanding to know where cocaine and cash were located.

“They were held at knifepoint and instructed to assist in the search. They got numerous punches to the head.

“One of them threatened both men, saying he would start cutting their fingers off.

“They took €30 in cash and took the phones from them. Both fled by the backdoor of the property. A glove was left behind and was forensically examined and found to have a fingerprint matching Martin Ekhosuehi. He was also nominated as a suspect by two gardaí who examined CCTV,” the detective said.

One of the victims was on the phone to his girlfriend in Drogheda when the raid occurred. The woman became so concerned by background sounds and the sudden ending of the phone call that she alerted gardaí to come to the property.

Gardaí arrived a short time later and knocked at the door, announcing their presence by shouting through the letterbox. Inside, the two students were being warned that they would be killed if they tried to call out or answer the door.

When the two intruders later left the premises, the gardaí were called again. They arrived to find the two students visibly shaken and with cuts to their faces . Both students described being punched in the face. One of them had his glasses broken. They were repeatedly threatened that they would be killed and they feared for their safety.

One raider said: “I will start cutting off fingers, on my mother’s life, if I don’t start finding something soon.” 

Det Garda O’Callaghan said of Ekhosuehi: “At interview he made no admissions for his part in this heinous incident. He showed no remorse or regard for the victims. He had a complete lack of consideration. When the victims were giving evidence he was tutting and shaking his head during the trial.

“The victims were in genuine fear for their lives.” 

The defendant’s previous 14 convictions included three for having drugs for his own use, one for drug-dealing, one for money-laundering, two for possession of knives, and one for production of an article in the course of a dispute.

Judge Behan remanded Ekhosuehi in custody for sentencing on March 4. His accomplice was never identified.