Head was shaved to conceal identity, court told

GARDAÍ claimed they had an eye witness to identify a man accused of carrying out an armed robbery of a post office, but the defendant had subsequently shaved his head since finding out that he had been identified.

Michael O’Callaghan, 43, who is living at 33 Ardcullen, Hollyhill, Cork, was arrested by Detective Garda Niall O’Connell and charged with committing a robbery at Blackpool post office on March 26.

O’Callaghan applied for bail through his solicitor, Peter O’Flynn, stating that he would sign on at his local Garda station and comply with whatever other bail conditions might be required.

However, Detective Sergeant Vincent O’Sullivan said the gardaí were objecting to bail. One of the grounds for the objection was the seriousness of the charge.

Judge Con O’Leary refused the bail application and remanded O’Callaghan in custody until April 23.

Inspector Michael McGuire said directions on the case were being sought from the DPP.