Togher man is charged with robbery at Lough Credit Union

Ballistics tests are to be carried out on what appeared to be a handgun seized by gardaí during the investigation of a case where a man is charged with carrying out an armed robbery at the Lough Credit Union in Cork in May of this year.

Sergeant Gearóid Davis said at Cork District Court that directions for the case were not yet available from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

“It is an alleged armed robbery, and we are awaiting a firearms and ballistics report,” Sgt Davis told Judge David Waters.

Whether it is a real weapon or an imitation handgun remains to be determined.

Judge Waters remanded the accused man in continuing custody until July 15 at Cork District Court.

Stephen Murphy, aged 41, of 1 Deanrock Villas, Togher, Cork, appeared by video link from prison before the court, charged with the single count of robbery.

The charge sheet refers to the offence of robbery taking place on Friday, May 15, at the Lough Credit Union, Togher Rd, Cork, on May 15, 2026.

It is alleged that what appeared to be a handgun was produced by the accused during the robbery.

Similar to other defendants now appearing before Cork District Court, the defendant is without legal representation because of the withdrawal of solicitors’ services in the dispute over free legal aid.