Cork man racially abused worker at fast food restaurant during robbery, court told

The man was also accused of producing a knife during the alleged robbery

The incident is alleged to have happened at the Subway fast food restaurant on South Main Street. File picture: Gavin Browne

Racial abuse was allegedly directed at a member of staff at a Subway outlet in Cork City, it was alleged during a case where a man was accused of producing a knife during a robbery and walking away with two cookies from the counter.

Detective Garda Carol Ann O’Callaghan said the member of staff at the premises on South Main Street stated that the man said to him: “You are not Irish – go back to your own country.” 

32-year-old Alan McCarthy of 50 Glencurrig Estate, South Douglas Road, Cork, appeared before Cork District on the single charge of robbery.

Eddie Burke, solicitor, said during an application for bail: “It was unfortunately a situation which escalated at the counter rather than being planned before he went in.” Mr Burke stressed that the young man did not bring a knife to the scene and that this was picked up in the premises.

Judge Mary Dorgan refused bail and remanded Alan McCarthy in custody to appear again at Cork District Court on April 29.

Garda testimony

Det. Garda O’Callaghan testified that just after 6.30pm on March 30, the suspect entered Subway restaurant on South Main Street, Cork.

“He approached the counter and requested food stating, 'I am homeless, can I have a sandwich?' When informed by the staff member that payment was required first, he allegedly became aggressive, stating he would not pay because he was homeless. 

“It is alleged that he then directed racial abuse at the staff member shouting, 'You are not Irish — go home to your own country'. He attempted to move behind the counter but was unable. 

"He then pushed the computer and cash register towards the staff member and attempted to strike him with a closed fist. During this altercation, the suspect struck a cookie display cabinet on the counter.

“The alleged suspect then forcibly pulled the display cabinet towards himself, causing a knife stored in a drawer within the cabinet to fall onto the counter. It is alleged he took the knife, pointed it at the staff member, and stated, 'I will fucking kill you.' 

"Fearing for his safety, the staff member retreated. He then dropped the knife, took cookies valued at €8 from the display, and fled the premises.

“Gardaí attended the scene and obtained a description of the alleged suspect and his direction of travel. These details were circulated over the radio and a male matching the description of the suspect was located sitting outside the Seventy-Seven Pub on Grand Parade. This male was highly intoxicated and subsequently arrested.” 

Mr Burke said the defendant would say that the knife was not waved around in a threatening manner. Det. Garda O’Callaghan said it was waved and pointed at the staff member. Mr Burke said that CCTV of the incident would show it in any event.

The solicitor also said that the accused was so intoxicated when gardaí encountered him outside the pub that he was lying on the ground.