'It’s not me on CCTV', Cork man accused of burgling home of woman, 85, tells court

Accused was on bail for another alleged crime when alleged offence occurred, court told

Accused denied burglary charge, telling court: 'Hand on the bible, I am telling the truth.' File picture

Gardaí objected to bail being granted to a Cork man accused of burgling the home of an 85-year-old woman in Mayfield but he insisted: “It’s not me.” Garda Elaine Murphy gave evidence on the charge against 36-year-old Don Duggan, of 65 Ballinderry Park, Mayfield, Cork, at Cork District Court.

The charge stated he entered the home at Iona Park, Mayfield, on June 28 as a trespasser and attempted to commit the arrestable offence of theft.

Garda Murphy said the allegations in the case were that Don Duggan entered the home of an 85-year-old woman through the rear door of the house.

“He was disturbed by the daughter of the household and fled out the bedroom window. He was pursued on foot from the scene by the daughter and he ran up Murmount Crescent.

“CCTV captured the man running from the scene,” Garda Murphy said.

Gardaí identified the man on CCTV as Don Duggan. He said it was not him.

Judge Mary Dorgan remanded him in custody until July 24 and said the bail application would be viewed again then.

Garda Murphy said the accused was on High Court bail for another alleged offence at this time and this was one of the grounds for objecting to bail on this new charge.

“I committed no offence on bail,” Don Duggan said.

Cross-examined by Sergeant Dave Delea, the defendant said: “It’s not me on CCTV.” 

He also said during cross-examination: “I was never given a chance by the system. The system failed my family. Hand on the bible, I am telling the truth.” 

Mr Duggan also said he suffered post-traumatic stress after coming across the scene of a prisoner’s suicide in 2019.

Judge Mary Dorgan remanded him in custody until Thursday, July 25.