Robbery charge after man allegedly attacked at Cork city centre ATM

A 64-year-old man withdrawing €40 from an ATM at Marlboro St in Cork city centre shortly before 6pm on July 5 was allegedly caught in a headlock and robbed by three men.

Garda Cathal McCarthy objected to bail being granted to 33-year-old Eugene Rice, of no fixed address, at Cork District Court because of the seriousness of the alleged offence.

The defendant, of no fixed address, applied for bail without legal representation because of the solicitors’ strike over changes to free legal aid payments. He was charged with robbery for his alleged part in the incident.

“I would like bail so I can get my bed in treatment. I apologise,” he said in the course of his application for bail.

Judge David Waters said the real concern for An Garda Síochána was that the defendant would continue to commit serious offences if granted bail.

Judge Waters said: “The State have made out a good case to refuse bail. I cannot see any bail conditions that would address the state’s concerns.”

The accused was remanded in custody to appear again at Cork District Court by video link from prison on July 13.

The charge against him is one of carrying out robbery from a man at Marlboro St, Cork, on July 5.

Garda McCarthy said in his outline of the allegations that gardaí received reports of a robbery from person on Marlboro St which had allegedly occurred before 6pm.

Garda McCarthy was on beat patrol in the city centre and was informed than a 64-year-old man had just been robbed of cash which he had taken out of the AIB ATM on Marlboro St.

“The injured party said he had withdrawn €40 cash when a male came up from behind him and placed him in a head lock and that two other males proceeded to take his money from him.

“There were a number of witnesses who saw the incident unfold, one female said she witnessed the victim being punched and dragged at by two males as another male held him in a head lock and then walk away casually after the incident.

“CCTV footage from Clancy’s bar was harvested and the three male suspects were seen walking past the camera moments after the incident. One of them was identified by gardaí as Eugene Rice.

“The defendant was later arrested by gardaí in the city centre.”

Judge Waters remanded the accused in custody for DPP directions, on the application of Sergeant Aisling Murphy.