Cork man accused of robbing off-duty prison officer claims he is victim of 'psychological warfare' in jail

Accused claims he is being 'mentally tortured for this crime' and he was being given 'milk and on cornflakes' one day, and cornflakes and no milk' the next

Cork District Court heard the injured party hoped that telling the assailant he was a prison officer would deter him from his actions, but unfortunately it did not have any deterrent effect. Picture: Larry Cummins 

A 50-year-old man accused of robbery of an off-duty prison officer in Cork city centre claimed by video link from prison: “I am being mentally tortured for this crime that I’m being held in prison for.” 

Addressing Judge Mary Dorgan, Jeremiah Foley spoke up on the video link from Cork Prison on Wednesday: “Ms Dorgan, I am getting milk today and no cornflakes, and tomorrow, cornflakes and no milk — it is a game of psychological warfare, all because of this.” 

Eddie Burke, solicitor, said he was instructed to apply to have the case struck out because of the unavailability of directions from the DPP. Judge Dorgan refused the application and remanded to 50-year-old in custody for a fortnight for progress on the directions.

Detective Garda Orla Moriarty testified at Cork District Court that the injured party hoped that telling the assailant he was a prison officer would deter him from his actions, but unfortunately it did not have any deterrent effect.

Jeremiah Foley, 50, with an address at 12 Castlepark, Ballincollig, Co Cork, was charged with carrying out the robbery on August 31 at Tobin Street, Cork.

It was alleged that at 1.20am on that date, the injured party was grabbed and forced against a wall, where the assailant went through his pockets and forcibly searched him. His phone was taken, Det Garda Moriarty said.

“He [the injured party] told him he was an off-duty prison officer, hoping this would deter him, but it did not have the desired effect,” Det Garda Moriarty said.