Accused denies role in assault and robbery incident at South Link service station

A passenger who was in a car parked outside a service station was dragged out and beaten unconscious by three men, it was alleged at Cork District Court.

Timmy O’Shea, aged 46, of no fixed address, testified in his application for bail that he had nothing to do with anyone being pulled out of a car and beaten.

Detective Garda Conor Cronin objected to bail, and in reply to a question from defence solicitor Eddie Burke about what was specifically alleged against Mr O’Shea, the detective said: “He was dragged out by a male, other than Timmy O’Shea, and then he was beaten unconscious by all three men.”

Det Gda Cronin said that the concern of An Garda Síochána was that the alleged robbery was carried out to feed a drug addiction, and that further offences would likely be committed to support this habit.

Mr Burke said to his client, when he was in the witness box at Cork District Court: “You are adamant you have absolutely nothing to do with these charges.”

Timmy O’Shea replied: “Yes, that is what I stated to the guards.”

As regards committing offences to feed an addiction, he said: 

“I am in Arbour House on suboxone [medication for drug treatment]. My urines are clean. There is nothing to back up that story. I don’t take drugs. I got steady on suboxone up in Arbour House. It is not going to happen where I put myself in a position where I get years in prison.”

Det Gda Cronin said, in terms of the strength of evidence, that a Revolut card taken from the injured person was found on Mr O’Shea one hour after the robbery.

Mr Burke queried why it had taken until now to charge the defendant on something that dates back to August 16.

Judge David Waters refused bail and remanded the accused in custody until October 12.

Det Garda Cronin said in his evidence that on August 16 at 7.30am at Top Oil South City Link service station, Mr O’Shea and two other males were back-seat passengers in a car after asking the occupants for a spin.

The car stopped and the driver went into the shop; the three males then dragged the front-seat passenger out of the car, beat him unconscious, and took items from his person, the court heard.

Mr O’Shea is also charged with burglary on September 30 at The Shelf bookshop on George’s Quay, where €235 was stolen from the till.