Alleged cattle rustler granted bail under strict conditions in West Cork case

Judge cites cooperation and mental health treatment plan in granting bail to man accused of multiple high-value cattle thefts

Colm Dineen leaving Macroom Court. Picture: Noel Sweeney

An alleged cattle rustler facing five theft charges and one charge of burglary, relating to the alleged theft of cattle valued at more than €50,000 in a number of incidents in West Cork, has been granted bail under strict conditions in the District Court.

Colm Dineen, aged 32, of Cappaghmore, Ballydehob, appeared before Judge Joanne Carroll at Macroom District Court. Dineen’s solicitor Flor Murphy told the court that his client was due to be admitted to St Patrick’s mental health services in Dublin but would first have to be referred by his GP in West Cork. 

The court was told that the referral could only be made if Dineen were released on bail to attend his GP.

Detective Garda Martin Bohane said gardaí objected to bail due to the seriousness of the offences and the risk that Dineen would reoffend if released. 

Det Gda Bohane said Dineen had admitted to the charges put to him and also to other offences for which he may be charged at a later date. He told the court that Dineen had confessed to “getting a kick” out of committing some of the offences.

Mr Murphy said that if Dineen were refused bail, he would face a six-month wait before referral to psychiatric services within the prison system. He said Dineen’s mother Eileen had already been in contact with St Patrick’s Hospital and his GP, and the family were anxious for his admission as soon as possible.

An emotional Mrs Dineen told the court that her son’s arrest “was like a bolt out of the blue” and said the family were concerned that he receive the psychiatric help he needs as soon as possible. She said that if released on bail, Dineen would reside at an address in Wexford with her and her brother until he was admitted to psychiatric services.

Judge Carroll noted that Dineen had no previous convictions, had made admissions and had been fully cooperative. She also noted that Dineen had attended a psychiatric assessment in 2020 but that his treatment did not progress due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The judge granted Dineen bail on condition that he reside at an address provided to the court in Wexford with his mother until he is admitted to St Patrick’s. He was also required to sign on daily at Wexford Garda Station, stay out of Co Cork, and observe a curfew from 9pm to 8am.

Dineen was also required to be contactable by mobile phone at all times, to have no contact with any of the alleged injured parties, to abstain from using social media except with immediate family members, and to abstain from intoxicants in public. His mother Eileen was also required to provide a €1,000 cash surety and guarantee a €1,000 bond in her name.

Dineen was remanded on bail on his own bond of €200 cash, to appear again at Clonakilty District Court by video link on March 3, 2026. The judge said: “Bail is granted on the basis that he is going to St Patrick’s Hospital.”

It is alleged that Mr Dineen stole 12 Friesian heifers and six Friesian bulls, valued at €30,000, from the farm of Brian Lawlor at Lakelands, near Skibbereen, on November 24. He is also accused of stealing 13 Friesian bullocks valued at €10,000 from another farm near Skibbereen in December 2017.

Mr Dineen further faces charges over the alleged theft of three Friesian heifer calves worth €1,500 from a farm near Skibbereen in March 2023, and eight cattle valued at €12,000 from a farm near Ballydehob in November 2022. He also faces a further charge relating to an alleged theft from a property in Rosscarbery in April 2025.

Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme.