Masked Cork man with 'sinister' three-pronged spike faked a Dublin accent during robbery

Accused had 96 convictions, court told, as judge jails him for 'deliberate, premeditated act'

The court heard that the accused was remorseful but the judge ruled it was a 'sinister' act. File picture: Larry Cummins

A masked Cork man carrying a ‘sinister’ three-pronged spike attempted to speak in a Dublin accent when he went behind the counter of a shop to rob cash from the till.

On Friday, at Cork Circuit Criminal Court, Judge Sinéad Behan imposed a six-year prison sentence, with the last two years suspended, on Colm Murdock, of Cork Simon Community.

Detective Garda Iain King gave evidence of the robbery, which was carried out at 7am on December 11, 2025, at Costcutters on Bridge Street, Cork.

“He entered Costcutters shop wearing a grey hoodie and a green-grey mask. He demanded that the female staff member open the till. She refused, and he went around the counter. He had a three-pronged spike object. He took €200 from the till and left the store.

“A witness on the street observed him carrying a spiked item. He was observed throwing this item into a flower pot. It was later recovered. 

"He walked into the Q Park car park and past the Moxy hotel. He was identified by Detective Garda Kevin Motherway and arrested for robbery on December 14, 2025.

Under the influence of drugs

“He made full admissions to robbery. He showed remorse. He said he was heavily under the influence of drugs at the time. 

"The injured party was known to the defendant for a number of years. He disguised his voice by attempting to speak in a Dublin accent.

“He has 96 previous convictions, including two for robbery, four for carrying knives and one for assault causing harm,” Det Garda King said.

Defence barrister Jessica Kelleher said that when he was clean of drugs and sober, Murdock helped others who were suffering with addiction. Det Garda King said that the accused was OK to deal with.

Judge Behan said: “He threatened to injure the till assistant. He produced this article — a sinister-looking object — and he removed €200.

"His journey was tracked on CCTV footage, and he was seen throwing the item into a flower pot. He knew the injured party, but it is not believed he targeted her.

"This was a frightening incident, and there was a premeditated element. 7am is a quiet time, and she perceived real danger to herself. It was a deliberate and sinister act.

“He had the presence of mind to discard the weapon. This kind of activity — people trying to work in the early morning, doing their best — that can be a terrifying act.

“The probation report places him at high risk of reoffending.”