Cork man accused of almost overturning infant's buggy during handbag theft further remanded

Alleged victim was visiting Cork city for her first time

Judge Mary Dorgan remanded the accused in custody until September 25.

 A man accused of grabbing a handbag from a Northern Ireland woman visiting Cork city — almost toppling over a buggy carrying her six week old infant — was remanded in custody for a fortnight today.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy said directions were not available from the Director of Public Prosecutions in the case which only dated back to August 8. Judge Mary Dorgan remanded the accused in custody until September 25.

Marc Cunningham, aged 40, of Cork Simon Community, appeared at Cork District Court by video link from prison.

Garda Patrick Houlihan objected to bail being granted last week and Judge Mary Dorgan commented at the end of this hearing: “This lady was walking on the Mardyke with her three year old and six week old and the buggy ended up upended. I can only imagine how distraught this lady was, six weeks after having a baby.” 

Garda Houlihan said: “It is alleged that on Friday, August 8, at approximately 9pm that he robbed a handbag on Mardyke Walk, Cork.

“She had travelled from Northern Ireland with her husband and two young children to Cork for the very first time. She was returning with her two young children to her camper van which was parked at Mardyke Walk while her husband was playing a music gig in the city centre.

“CCTV will show Marc Cunningham following this young mother from Liberty St while she was on her own with her three-year-old son and pushing her six-week-old baby in a buggy.

“CCTV shows him creep up behind her with his hood up and forcefully pull her handbag which was looped around the handles of the buggy with her baby inside.

“He pulled the handbag with such force that the buggy lifted off the ground and nearly toppled over with the baby inside.

“The female was in complete shock and let go of the buggy in fear that she and both of her children would be harmed. She screamed for help while the man on CCTV fled the scene on foot discarding numerous items from the handbag.

“Marc Cunningham was stopped and searched by gardaí a few hours later and was wearing the exact clothing worn by the man in the CCTV.

“He has drug addiction issues. It is believed that this robbery was an attempt to get cash to feed his habit. At interview he admitted he is spending €25 a day on heroin and it is out of control at the moment.” 

The charge is one of theft of a black Kate Spade handbag on August 8. He is also charged with shoplifting at Superdry on St Patrick’s St on August 3, public order charges relating to the following day at Lower Oliver Plunkett St and obstruction of a drugs search in the city on August 8.