Bench warrant issued for man accused of attempting to rob woman returning to Cork hotel

A bench warrant was issued for the arrest of a man charged with attempted robbery of a middle-aged woman returning to her hotel in Cork city in the early hours of the morning.

Judge David Waters recalled that when the case was recently before the court he had specifically warned 25-year-old Michael Doody of St Vincent’s Hostel, Anglesea Terrace, Cork, that he would have to turn up in court in Cork for any of his court dates, and that it was anticipated that he would be served with a book of evidence today. He failed to appear in court today.

He is charged with carrying out an attempted robbery at around 3am on March 14 2026 as the woman and her friend, aged in their 50s, who were socialising in the city made their way back to their hotel. 

CCTV of the alleged incident was examined by members of An Garda Síochána and Michael Doody was identified.

Detective Sergeant Colin Greenway outlined the allegations in the case previously. “This charge relates to an alleged offence which occurred on March 14 on St Patrick’s St, Cork. It will be the State's case that Michael Doody committed an attempted robbery in the early hours of the morning at around 3am, during which a female was approached from behind by a lone male who attempted to violently pull her handbag from her.

“The suspect male proceeded to drag the injured party to the ground while pulling at her handbag. The suspect then dragged the female victim along the footpath while attempting to take her handbag. Her friend assisted her and she was also knocked to the ground.

“The suspect then ceased in his attempts and fled the scene. A garda investigation was commenced and a large amount of CCTV footage was harvested. 

"The movements of the suspect were tracked leading up to the incident where he is captured clearly on CCTV.”