Cork airport hijacking accused appears in court

A man accused of hijacking a jeep at Cork Airport by threatening the occupants at knifepoint was brought before Cork District Court today.

Edmond Stapleton, aged 37, of no fixed abode, spoke up a number of times during the hearing before Judge David Riordan at Cork District Court.

Stapleton, who was dressed in a black polo shirt and black pants and had a cut at the side of his right eye, put his hands behind his ears a number of times to show his frustration at not being able to hear what was being said in court.

Eventually he spoke up from the seating area where prisoners are brought before the court: “I can’t hear anything that is being said and it is me you are talking about.

“It’s me that is being spoken about and I can’t hear what is being said,” Stapleton said.

Judge David Riordan then went through what was being said.

Stapleton was remanded in custody until Monday, May 30, at Cork District Court in respect of the two charges on the application of Inspector Michael McGuire.

He was charged with stealing a vehicle belonging to An Garda Síochána at Patrick Street, Cork, on Sunday, May 22.

The second charge brought against him by Garda John McSweeney related to the same date at Cork Airport where he was accused of threatening to cause harm to John McCarthy and Michael Delaney while armed with a knife and telling them to get out of the 08-registered Toyota landcruiser and unlawfully seizing this vehicle at the airport. Garda McSweeney said that in reply after caution, Stapleton said, “I understand exactly what you are saying.”

Solicitor Frank Buttimer consented to the application for a remand in custody. When Mr Buttimer, who was appointed on free legal aid to represent the accused, said he was aware there was a State objection to bail, Stapleton shook his head and laughed.

On a defence application, Judge Riordan directed that whatever medical treatment was available in prison would be given to the defendant as required.

Garda McSweeney also arrested Stapleton on a bench warrant issued for the defendant in November 2010 when he failed to appear in Naas Circuit Criminal Court on drugs supply charges.

Stapleton will be brought before that court next Tuesday, the day after his Cork District Court appearance, on the fresh charges

This story courtesy of the Evening Echo newspaper