Men face trial for €10k trees theft

Two men are facing trial on charges of stealing €10,000 worth of oak trees from the property of Charles Colthurst of Blarney Castle.

The case was before Cork District Court yesterday, where the solicitor for one of the defendants made an application for permission to inspect the location of the alleged offences.

Judge Con O’Leary gave solicitor Michael Malone permission to have the land at Ardamadane Woods, Station Rd, Blarney, Co Cork, inspected for the purpose of the case.

The location will be inspected in liaison with the garda who investigated the case, Patrick O’Sullivan.

Tim O’Connor, aged 55, of 23 Ardara Drive, Blarney, appeared before Cork District Court yesterday.

He is charged with stealing 20 oak trees with a value of €10,000, the property of Charles Colthurst on Mar 22, 2012.

He is also accused of causing criminal damage to the 20 oak trees on dates between Mar 22 and Mar 26.

The third charge is one of entering the curtilage of a building as a trespasser to interfere with property.

The case against him was adjourned to Jan 23.

A co-defendant, Pat O’Connell, 39, of 9 Riverview Estate, Tower, Blarney, faces the same three charges and his case was previously adjourned to the same date.