Man charged with stealing €770 cash from Cork oil delivery truck granted bail

Defendant was identified from CCTV images from the truck, court heard

Accused was granted bail on conditions he sign on daily at Cobh Garda Station, surrender his passport, and stay away from East Cork Oil trucks. Picture: Larry Cummins

A 39-year-old man charged with targeting East Cork Oil trucks for thefts of cash was released on bail on condition he would stay away from all such vehicles.

Ivan Ferencik, with an address at Harbour View, Cobh, was arrested and brought before Cork District Court by Garda Owen O’Callaghan.

Initially, there was an objection to bail and the allegations in the case were outlined for Judge Mary Dorgan. However, it later emerged gardaí would agree to bail.

Garda Owen O'Callaghan testified that on October 1 at Ballylegan, Watergrasshill, Co Cork, a delivery driver for East Cork Oil was making a delivery and when he returned to the truck he noticed €770 cash had been stolen. CCTV from the truck was downloaded and from this and inquiries made by Garda O'Callaghan, the defendant was identified as Ivan Ferencik.

After this, it was brought to Garda O'Callaghan's attention that Ivan Ferencik was also a suspect for interfering with a similar truck on October 6 at Victoria Estate, Cobh, Co Cork. 

This was again an East Cork Oil Truck making a delivery and when the driver returned he observed a man getting into the truck and when approached, the man ran away. The CCTV was again obtained and again Ivan Ferencik was identified as the suspect. No property was stolen in this incident.

The second charge of interference with a truck was withdrawn for technical reasons. The first charge against him of theft of cash was adjourned until November 19, on bail conditions that require him to sign on daily at Cobh Garda Station, surrender his passport, and stay away from East Cork Oil trucks.

A Slovakian interpreter was present for the case and the accused was represented by Killian McCarthy, solicitor.