Judge adjourns sentencing of former Cork City striker George O’Callaghan over €23k theft

The court heard that the defendant had addiction issues at the time of the offence

George O’Callaghan’s football career included a five-year period with Cork City FC from 2002 and a spell in the UK at Ipswich Town. File picture: Eddie O'Hare

Former Cork City FC soccer player, George O’Callaghan, appeared at Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Monday where sentencing in his case was adjourned until May 11.

The 46-year-old faces the single charge under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 and which states that, “On dates between August 1, 2020, and December 23, 2021, at Anytime Fitness, Eastgate, Ballincollig, County Cork, in the District Court area of Cork city he did steal property, to wit, €23,645, the property of Holohan Fitness Ltd. trading as Anytime Fitness.” 

Today George O’Callaghan, who has been residing at Lisduff, Whitechurch, affirmed the signed plea of guilty that he had entered as soon as charged by Detective Garda Robert McCarthy.

Defence barrister Neal Horgan told Judge Helen Boyle that Mr O’Callaghan had addiction issues at the time of the offence and a probation report was sought in relation to his background circumstances.

Judge Boyle agreed to adjourn sentencing until May 11 to allow time for the probation report.

Free legal aid was granted at Cork District Court recently when solicitor Frank Buttimer said of the accused: “He is not in receipt of income, he lost his situation arising out these difficulties.” 

Background details on how the matters that gave rise to the charge have yet to be outlined in court but it is anticipated that such details will be given at the sentencing hearing in the circuit court in May.

George O’Callaghan’s football career included a five-year period with Cork City FC from 2002 and a spell in the UK at Ipswich Town.