Couple charged with robbing French students on school tour in Cork City

The court heard that the male is alleged to have struck a teacher up to 10 times in the back and upper body with a screwdriver

Detective Garda Conor Cronin charged both of them with robbery at St. Patrick’s Street, Cork, on the evening of Tuesday, July 23. File picture: Larry Cummins

A couple were arrested, charged and brought before Cork District Court on Thursday arising out of an investigation into the robbery of French visitors in Cork City centre.

Detective Garda Conor Cronin charged both of them with robbery at St. Patrick’s Street, Cork, on the evening of Tuesday, July 23.

The prosecution objected to bail being granted to the 29-year-old man but agreed to bail on conditions for the 27-year-old woman. Judge Mary Dorgan granted bail to both of them and made an order that they would not be identified in media coverage of the case for legal reasons. 

The judge said she would review this prohibition order, possibly as soon as July 30. The male defendant was remanded in custody with consent to bail until that date. His partner was remanded on bail to September 26.

Det. Garda Cronin objected to bail being granted to the 29-year-old and in his outline of the allegations in the objection to his bail he said one of the main grounds was the seriousness of the allegations.

“A group of French students in their early teens and their teachers were walking on St. Patrick’s Street at 10.20pm on July 23. They were on a school tour to Ireland.

“It is alleged that a male and female approached the group of children. 

The female believed one of the children was laughing at her. The female began shouting at her (one of the students) and grabbed her Samsung phone out of her hand putting her in fear.

“The female then tried to leave with the phone and she was stopped by one of the French teachers who tried to get the phone back. The teacher and the female fell to the ground during the altercation.

“It is alleged that the male intervened and approached the teacher and struck him up to 10 times in the back and upper body with a screwdriver.

“The female then threw a coffee cup at the teacher striking him in the face. The male and female then left the area,” Det. Garda Cronin said.

It is alleged that the man was approached elsewhere by another member of An Garda Síochána the following day and he handed over the Samsung phone to the detective.