Cork court told man (64) put in headlock and robbed as he was withdrawing €40 from ATM

The young man accused of playing a part in a robbery from a 64-year-old man who was withdrawing €40 from an ATM at Marlboro St in Cork city centre shortly on a Sunday afternoon was remanded in custody for a fortnight yesterday.

Judge David Waters remanded the accused in custody until July 27, on the application of Sergeant John Dineen for directions from the DPP.

The court heard that the injured party 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 earlier this month because of the seriousness of the alleged offence.

Mr Rice 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,” 

Eugene Rice said during the course of his application for bail.

Judge David Waters refused bail.

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

Garda Cathal McCarthy, who was on beat patrol in the city centre, was informed that 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The injured party said he had withdrawn €40 cash when a male came up from behind him and placed him in a head lock and that two other males proceeded to take his money from him, Garda McCarthy said.

“There were a number of witnesses who saw the incident unfold.

“One female stated that 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.”