Hijack accused treated at mental hospital

A MAN accused of hijacking a 4x4 at Cork Airport by threatening the occupants at knifepoint has been admitted to the Central Mental Hospital for treatment.

Edmond Stapleton, aged 37, of no fixed abode, was brought before Cork District Court a week ago after stealing a Garda car on St Patrick’s St, Cork, and a 4x4 at Cork Airport on May 22.

Stapleton was remanded in custody and was due to appear before Judge David Riordan at Cork District Court again yesterday.

However, when the case was called, Inspector Bill Duane said: “He is not in a position to attend court, he is in the Central Mental Hospital in Dundrum. He is receiving ongoing in-patient treatment and will not be in a position to attend for two weeks. My application is to adjourn the case for two weeks.”

Judge David Riordan remanded the defendant in custody until June 13. Defence solicitor Emmet Boyle agreed. The matter was put back for further directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Stapleton is charged with stealing a Garda vehicle at St Patrick’s Street, Cork, on May 22. The second charge brought against him related to the same date at Cork Airport, where he threatened to cause harm to John McCarthy and Michael Delaney while armed with a knife and telling them to get out of their Toyota Landcruiser and unlawfully seizing the vehicle.

Garda John McSweeney previously said that, in reply to a caution, Stapleton said: “I understand exactly what you are saying.”