Cork woman found stranger outside open window where daughter was sleeping, court told

A woman went into a bedroom of the family home in Douglas where her very young daughter was sleeping and found a stranger outside the open window, and he ran from the scene when the child’s mother screamed.

That was the main allegation in the case where 37-year-old Lee Cronin with an address at an apartment at Douglas West was charged with burglary.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy outlined the allegations in the case at Cork District Court and said Lee Cronin was identified on CCTV entering the curtilage of the home at Galway’s Lane in Douglas West on the morning of August 25.

“It is alleged that he tried to enter the two vehicles in the driveway and then approached the house and put his hand inside the window to open the window of the house. There was a very young girl asleep in the room and he attempted to get in.” 

Judge David Waters asked if it was alleged that the child woke up and also asked what time of day this occurred.

Sgt Murphy said it occurred at 7am while the children stayed sleeping, and that the mother of this girl entered the room and began to shout. She said that Lee Cronin ran from the property on seeing the owners of the house.

Judge Waters said it did not sound like a case where he would accept jurisdiction, but he did not finalise this issue and said he adjourn the matter until September 30 for the DPP to give directions.

Eddie Burke, solicitor, said he would discuss issues in the case with the accused.

Judge Waters advised the defendant not to speak up on his own behalf, as he might make matters worse for himself, and he had a solicitor to represent him.

However, the accused did speak up and said that he was not involved in a serious type of crime on August 25, and that he was someone who would only carry out a petty theft to pay for his drug addiction.