Blues Café burglary case to go to trial in Cork

A judge and jury will hear the case against a man accused of burgling The Blues Café on French Church St, Cork, last January.

Sergeant John Dineen said the Director of Public Prosecutions decided that the case should proceed to trial by indictment, or that a signed plea of guilty could be entered at Cork District Court for sentencing at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

Diane Hallahan, solicitor, said there would be no signed plea, and that a book of evidence would be required.

Judge Mary Dorgan remanded 31-year-old Mark Hurley of 3 Dunmanus Crescent, Knocknaheeny in custody until May 12 for the preparation and service of a book of evidence.

Detective Garda Maurice Hickey outlined the allegations in the case previously.

“At approximately 9am on January 13, gardaí on beat patrol observed a broken front window at the Blues Café,” he said. “On closer inspection, it was found that the front door was ajar and items were thrown around the cafe.

“Detective Garda Conor Cronin spoke to the owner, and it was confirmed that the cafe had been broken into.

“It was alleged that approximately €100 in coins was taken from the cash register. And that €2,000 in cash which was in an envelope was taken from under the till. It was alleged that a black iPhone 11 was also taken.

“The incident was captured in full on CCTV [from a neighbouring premises]. Two males were involved in the alleged burglary.”