Man charged with robbery of Clonakilty Credit Union

A man, understood to be masked, is said to have produced a knife and demanded money

The credit union on Kent St was allegedly robbed on Friday of around €2,000. Photo: Andy Gibson

A man has been charged with the robbery of a credit union in Clonakilty last Friday during which a knife was produced and €2,000 was taken.

Michael Collins, 20, had been arrested on Sunday and charged later that same evening with the robbery of the credit union on Kent St in the West Cork town.

The incident took place at 12.35pm last Friday when a male, understood to be masked, entered the premises and demanded a sum of money. A knife was reportedly produced and the man left shortly afterward with a sum of money, believed to be €2,000. No one was injured in the incident.

At Bandon District Court, Mr Collins, who lives at Apartment 6, Sandlighter Apartments on Wolfe Tone St in Clonakilty, appeared before Judge John King charged with robbery.

Detective Garda Peter Nolan told the judge that he had arrested Mr Collins at 8.38pm on Sunday at Clonakilty Garda Station and that he then charged him at 9.31pm.

The court was told that when the charge was put to him, Mr Collins’s response was: “If I could take it back I would and I am sorry to those that I caused grief.” Det. Garda Nolan said there was the possibility of further charges and there would be further DPP instructions.

Inspector Emmet Daly said gardai were consenting to an application for release on bail, subject to conditions.

Liam O’Donovan, solicitor for Mr Collins, said the bail conditions were agreed but they may be subject to slight changes as his client was, through his own GP, being referred to mental health services and “he may be going in voluntarily”.

The court was told Mr Collins is not working and is in receipt of social welfare. Judge King released Mr Collins on his own bond of €300, no cash required, subject to conditions.

The matter will return before the court in Clonakilty on March 5 next for DPP directions. Mr Collins was also granted legal aid.