Man pleads guilty to hijacking cars at knifepoint in Cork and Tipperary

Defendant also admitted damaging a door at a Circle K service station

Two of the offences occurred at a Circle K garage. File picture

Violent knifepoint carjacking episodes in Midleton and Roscrea by a man with psychiatric issues saw him pleading guilty to the crimes at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

“This is a serious matter, carrying a possible maximum sentence of 15 years,” Judge Helen Boyle said.

44-year-old Przemyslaw Lipiec, of The Crescent, Millbrook, Mill Road, Cork, previously entered signed pleas of guilty to charges of carjacking and related offences.

Judge Boyle adjourned sentencing in the case until July 7, with the accused remanded in custody until then.

One charge states that on November 2, 2025, at Circle K service station, Cork Rd, Midleton, Co Cork, by intimidation, and being violent and very aggressive, shouting, did unlawfully seized a red Nissan Note car from the owner.

A second charge related to the same date and place refers to the same defendant damaging property, namely the lower glass pane in the main shop door, valued €500.

He also admitted that on November 2, 2025, on Main St, Roscrea, Co Tipperary, he committed the hijacking, or the unlawful seizure of a vehicle, and produced in a manner likely unlawfully to intimidate another person an article capable of inflicting serious injury, namely a knife with a blade several inches long.

A related charge states that by threat of force and intimidation of the owner of a blue Kia Sorento, at knifepoint to hand over his car keys and surrender his car.

The background circumstances that gave rise to the charges on both dates will be outlined at the sentencing hearing on July 7.