Cork man accused of café burglary refused bail

Court told the crime was allegedly pre-planned

Judge Catherine Ryan refused the bail application and remanded the man in custody for a week. 

Gardaí objected to bail being granted to a man accused of carrying out a burglary at the Blues Café on French Church St in Cork after giving evidence that the crime was allegedly pre-planned.

Detective Garda Maurice Hickey outlined the allegations in the case which related to January 13 at the Blues Cafe.

“At approximately 9am, gardaí on beat patrol observed a broken front window at the Blues Café. On closer inspection it was found that the front door was ajar and items were thrown around the café.

“Detective Garda Conor Cronin spoke to the owner and it was confirmed that the café had been broken into. It was alleged that approximately €100 in coins was taken from the cash register. And that €2,000 in cash which was in an envelope was taken from under the till. It was alleged that a black iPhone 11 was also taken.

“Gardal conducted extensive CCTV enquiries and the incident was captured in full on CCTV (from a neighbouring premises). Two males were involved in the alleged burglary. One of the males was wearing a black beanie hat, black gloves, black North Face jacket, black tracksuit pants and dark navy runners.

“(From CCTV) it was established that the two males left a premises at St Patrick’s Hill at approximately before 1am. They then made their way to French Church St where the loitered in the area before committing the alleged burglary. The two males then return to St Patricks Hill before 2am. The male wearing the black clothing has been identified by Gardaí as Zack Maloney (with an address at an apartment on St Patrick’s Hill, Cork.” 

Zack Maloney, aged 54, applied for bail through solicitor Joseph Cuddigan but Judge Catherine Ryan refused the application and remanded him in custody for a week. 

Sergeant Aisling Murphy said directions were being sought from the Director of Public Prosecutions.