Former Cork City player George O'Callaghan sentencing adjourned to next month

Background details on the charge will be given at the sentencing hearing in June

George O'Callaghan pictured playing for Cork City FC in 2003. The court heard that he had handed over compensation. File picture: Eddie O'Hare

Former Cork City FC soccer player George O’Callaghan had sentencing in his case for theft of over €23,000 from a fitness centre adjourned until June 24.

Judge Helen Boyle was told that he had handed over compensation and there was an application to adjourn sentencing. The judge acceded to the application and put the matter back for just over six weeks at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.

The 46-year-old pleaded guilty to the single charge under the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.

It 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.” 

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

Defence barrister Neal Horgan told Judge Boyle previously 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.

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 — something which will be done at the sentencing hearing next month.

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.