'I didn't know it was stolen', says Cork man accused of handling property

A man who was arrested in connection with ongoing investigations into criminal activity in West Cork has appeared in the district court where he was charged with one count of handling stolen property.

David Hill, aged 29, of Dunscullib, Leap, Co Cork, appeared before Judge Joanne Carroll at Bandon District Court.

Giving evidence of arrest, charge, and caution, Detective Garda Martin Bohane said that he arrested the accused at 3pm on March 19, 2025, and Hill replied: “I didn’t know it was stolen at the time” when the charge of handling stolen property was put to him.

Det Gda Bohane said that Hill was charged with handling stolen property, namely a Milwaukee brand inch drive gun valued at €1,500. Det Gda Bohane said that the arrest was “connected to ongoing investigations” in West Cork, and gardaí were not objecting to bail subject to certain conditions being met.

Solicitor Plunkett Taaffe, acting as agent for solicitor Killian McCarthy, said that the conditions sought for bail had been agreed. Judge Carroll said she would grant bail on condition that Hill surrender his passport and EU travel card, and does not apply for another.

He was also ordered to provide a mobile phone number where he could be contacted and to sign on at Clonakilty Garda Station on Wednesdays between 8am and 8pm.

The judge also ordered Hill to abstain from intoxicants in public, not to have any contact with witnesses or alleged injured parties, either directly or indirectly, and also to abstain from all social media communications except with immediate family members.

An independent surety bond was also provided by Hill’s mother of €500 in addition to Hill’s own bond of €100.

He was remanded on continuing bail to appear again at Skibbereen District Court on May 26, 2026.

• Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme