DPP to decide on charges in case against Cork teen accused of stealing cherry-picker

The Garda file in the case against a teenager on a charge of allowing himself to be carried in a stolen cherry-picker which was driven through Cork city on November 2 has been sent to the DPP for directions.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy confirmed at Cork District Court that the file was sent to the DPP on March 23 and that directions were awaited from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Patrick Costin, aged 18, of Cork Simon Community is also charged with causing damage to a bollard at Oliver Plunkett St arising out of his alleged role in the escapade.

Garda Paul McCarthy said that at 8.20pm on Sunday, November 2, 2025, gardaí responded to a report of a theft of scissor-lift that was about to be collected and removed from St Patrick’s Quay. 

He said keys were not in the ignition in one of the compartments of the cage so that it could be collected.

“It is alleged that on the quay and on roads and pedestrian footpaths along the centre of Cork city, there was dangerous driving," said Garda McCarthy. 

"This incident occurred at a time when both road and pedestrian traffic in the city centre was busy and the incident was captured on mobile phone cameras and shared on social media by multiple witnesses at different parts of the route. 

"The scissor-lift was brought to a stop by gardaí on South Gate Bridge where arrests were made.” 

Mr Costin was remanded in custody until April 15.