Cork man was put in a headlock, punched and dragged before he was robbed, court told

One man was refused bail after he was charged with taking part in the alleged robbery

The robbery is said to have happened on Marlboro Street in Cork City on Sunday. File picture: Eddie O'Hare

A 64-year-old man withdrawing €40 from an ATM at Marlboro Street in Cork city centre shortly before 6pm on Sunday was allegedly caught in a headlock and robbed by three men.

Garda Cathal McCarthy objected to bail being granted to 33-year-old Eugene Rice at Cork District Court because of the seriousness of the alleged offence.

Defendant Eugene Rice of no fixed address applied for bail without legal representation because of the solicitors’ strike over changes to free legal aid payments. He was charged with robbery for his alleged part in the incident.

“I would like bail so I can get my bed in treatment. I apologise,” Eugene Rice said in the course of his application for bail.

Judge David Waters said the real concern for An Garda Síochána was that the defendant would continue to commit serious offences if granted bail.

Judge Waters said: “The State have made out a good case to refuse bail. I cannot see any bail conditions that would address the State’s concerns.” Eugene Rice was remanded in custody to appear again at Cork District Court by video link from prison on July 13.

The charge against him is one of carrying out a robbery of a man at Marlboro Street, Cork, on Sunday, July 5.

Garda McCarthy said in his outline of the allegations that gardaí received reports of a robbery from a person on Marlboro St which had allegedly occurred before 6pm.

Garda McCarthy, who was on beat patrol in the city centre, was informed that a 64-year-old man had just been robbed of cash which he had taken out of the AIB ATM on Marlboro Street.

“The injured party said he had withdrawn €40 cash when a male came up from behind him and placed him in a headlock and that two other males proceeded to take his money from him.

“There were a number of witnesses who saw the incident unfold, one female said she witnessed the victim being punched and dragged by two males as another male held him in a headlock and then walk away casually after the incident.

“CCTV footage from Clancy’s Bar was harvested and the three male suspects were seen walking past the camera moments after the incident. One of them was identified by gardaí as Eugene Rice. The defendant was later arrested by gardai in the city centre.” 

Judge Waters remanded the accused in custody for DPP directions, on the application of Sergeant Aisling Murphy.