Cork man denies knowing €6k power-washer he stored for 'business partner' was stolen

The power-washer was returned to the owners. File picture: iStock

A 54-year-old Cork man who allowed a friend to store a €6,000 towable power-washer at his property overnight claimed he had no idea it was stolen and would not have had anything to do with it if he had known.

Inspector Danny Holland put it to Michael Cuddihy of 5 Ardcullen Grove, Hollyhill, Cork, that he knew it was dodgy and waited until after 11pm when it could be moved under the cover of darkness. He denied this and pleaded not guilty to charges of theft and handling stolen property.

However, Judge John King decided at the end of the trial at Cork District Court: “I am satisfied that it was theft, plain and simple. The fact that there was a co-accused is irrelevant on the basis of a theft conviction. I will dismiss the handling charge.” 

The McKechnie-owned Bowser power-washer was parked at the rear of Heritage House in Gurranabraher where it was stolen and removed from the area at around 11pm on January 3, 2024. It was worth about €6,000.

Garda Paul Moloney examined CCTV and saw unidentified parties putting the power-washer onto a tow-bar of a vehicle and driving away, followed by a man in another vehicle - a van with an unusual logo for a Waterford scaffolding company.

While the registration was not visible, the Waterford company was contacted by Garda Moloney who informed him that it had been sold a few weeks earlier. The name of the purchaser was not available but his phone number was. 

Garda Moloney rang the number and Michael Cuddihy answered and identified himself to the guard. Garda Moloney went to his property and saw the power-washer attached to the car – not Mr Cuddihy’s vehicle.

Defendant's testimony

In the court case, the defendant told his solicitor Aoife Buttimer that a friend rang him to say he had a loan of a power-washer which he wanted to use early the next morning and wanted help hitching it. Mr Cuddihy said that he hesitated but allowed him to park it by his property.

“He drove up the road with it. I did not know it was stole. If I did I would not have touched it,” Mr Cuddihy said.

Cross-examining, Inspector Danny Holland said: “You knew and were reckless that you were storing stolen property under the cover of darkness.” The defendant replied: “No, guard, you are very wrong, I did not know it was stolen.” 

Asked about his view of the other man – who was also charged but had the case against him withdrawn – Mr Cuddihy said: “I kind of classed him as a business partner that we could make a few pound (buying and selling cars).

I am sick over it, I am very annoyed. I didn’t think someone would do that to me. If I knew it was stolen I would have walked away from him. 

Convicting the 54-year-old of theft, Judge John King said he could do 120 hours of community service instead of five months in prison. The judge said that because he used his car to drive to the scene of the offence he was disqualified from driving for 12 months. 

Ms Buttimer indicated that there may be an appeal. The power-washer was returned to the owners.