No bail for alleged Cork bank robber whose note to cashier said 'Thank you, and am sorry for this'

The man is charged with carrying out the robbery at the Bank of Ireland in Douglas, Cork

The accused was remanded in custody on Friday until January 15. File picture: Larry Cummins

The man who allegedly robbed €6,260 from the Bank of Ireland in Douglas threatening he had a gun but saying before he left: “Thank you, and am sorry for this”, was remanded in custody on Friday until January 15.

On the application of Sergeant John Kelleher, Judge Mary Dorgan remanded 42-year-old Noel O’Brien of 68 Maryborough Court, Douglas, Cork, in custody until then to allow time for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

He is charged with carrying out this robbery at the Bank of Ireland in Douglas, Cork, and is represented by solicitor Daithí Ó Donnabháin.

Det. Garda Tom Delaney said in an earlier objection to bail: “Noel O'Brien in my opinion poses a danger to the safety of persons in the community. His chronic addiction to cocaine has caused him to carry out this crime, and without addressing this addiction I believe he will spiral further with his cocaine addiction. 

"Noel O'Brien is not working, and has no way of covering the cost to pay for his addiction. I believe this puts him at significant risk of re-offending and committing further crime to pay for his addiction.” 

Mr O’Brien who has no previous convictions became emotional in the witness box in his application for bail: “The first thing is to apologise to everyone I caused harm to… I am here to apologise to the cashier. My threat in that letter is not me.” 

He said he needed counselling to address his issues and he also said he had to clear a €4,000 drugs debt. He said he felt that his options were suicide or to do what he did.

Det. Garda Delaney gave an outline of the allegations in the case: “On November 19, just before 2pm, a male entered Bank of Ireland Douglas Village Shopping Centre. 

"His face was covered over, he handed the teller a note which read: 'Hi I am Jack, I am a mute. Please do not scream or shout. I have a gun in my pocket. I want you to slowly empty the drawer and place all notes in an envelope. Remember stay calm and I will not hurt you. Put the envelope on the counter and make sure there are no trackers or dye packs in the envelope. Wait 5 minutes before sounding the alarm or I will come back. Thank you, and am sorry for this"

“The cashier in the face of this threat of a firearm, and fear of being harmed, handed over €6,260. The male left the bank on foot through Douglas Village Shopping Centre.”