Case against Cork teenager who was carried in stolen cherry picker awaiting DPP directions

The Mary Elmes Bridge in Cork City was damaged, with a portion of it crashing into the River Lee when the cherry-picker was driven on to the pedestrian bridge, causing some of the bridge floor to crash into the River Lee. Picture: Larry Cummins

The Garda file in the case against a teenager on a charge of allowing himself to be carried in a stolen cherry picker which was driven through Cork City on November 2 last has been sent to the DPP for directions.

Sergeant Aisling Murphy confirmed at Cork District Court the file was sent to the DPP on March 23 and directions were awaited from the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Patrick Costin, 18, of Cork Simon Community, is also charged with causing damage to a bollard on Oliver Plunkett Street arising out of his alleged part in the escapade — videos of which were widely shared on social media.

Garda Paul McCarthy said at 8.20pm on Sunday, November 2, 2025, gardaí responded to a report of a theft of scissor-lift that was about to be collected and removed from St Patrick’s Quay. He said keys were not in the ignition but in one of the compartments of the cage so it could be collected.

“It is alleged that on the quay and on roads and pedestrian footpaths along the centre of Cork City, there was dangerous driving. This incident occurred at a time when both road and pedestrian traffic in the city centre was busy and the incident was captured on mobile phone cameras and shared on social media by multiple witnesses at different parts of the route. The scissor-lift was brought to a stop by gardaí on South Gate Bridge where arrests were made.” 

Patrick Costin was remanded in custody until April 15.