Woman charged with robbing man

Gardaí arrested a woman yesterday and charged her with falsely imprisoning and robbing a 69-year-old man at his home in Cork.

Detective Garda Cormac Crotty objected to bail being granted to Ciara Beamish on a number of grounds, including the seriousness of the alleged offences.

Ms Beamish, aged 24, of Myrtle Hill, Upper Ardmore, Passage West, County Cork, was charged with falsely imprisoning the 69-year-old at his home at Chetwynd Cross, Douglas Road, Cork, between July 15 and 16, 2014; aggravated burglary where she allegedly had a knife while trespassing at the house; and entering a premises in Ballincollig in order to steal.

Det Garda Crotty outlined the background to the charges in his objection to grail being granted to the accused.

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“It is alleged the accused and another person entered the home of the injured party and it is alleged he was held captive for a period of time and it is also alleged that there was the use of threats and a knife,” he said. “During the course of the alleged incident €700 was taken from his wallet.”

It was alleged Ms Beamish was personally known to the complainant in the case.

“I believe if given bail she is a flight risk,” said Det Crotty. “The gardaí would also have concerns about interference with the witness. She is a heroin addict and I believe this crime was committed to feed her habit.”

Frank Buttimer, solicitor, said the detective was right to say she was a heroin addict but she had since attended to that through treatment and a methadone programme.

Ms Beamish also gave evidence, stating: “I am not going to interfere or go near a witness.”Judge Leo Malone said there were a number of grounds for refusing bail in the case.

He remanded Ms Beamish in custody for one week to appear at Cork District Court by video link from prison on May 28. Inspector John Deasy said a book of evidence was being prepared in the case.

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