Aidan Cullinane, 32, of St Joseph’s Park, The Lough, Cork, and Gerard Quinlan, 41, previously of Gillabbey Mews, Connaught Avenue, Cork, have been detained and indicted in relation to an incident where three individuals were barraged with a crowbar following a flat burglary in Cork. Both men are implicated with four offences stemming from the incident and were presented to Cork District Court on Wednesday.
They stand accused of breaking and entering an apartment on Millerd Street and causing bodily harm to the three residents, two females and one male from China. Detective Garda Brian Barron, based at Bridewell Garda Station, testified before the court that the two men did not respond to the charges after being warned.
Barron explained that the Garda objected to them seeking bail, citing the severity of the charges and the compelling evidence against the two suspects. He highlighted the potential 14-year maximum term for the burglary charges.
He submitted that around 5.45 a.m. on April 17th, the defendants, Cullinane and Quinlan allegedly invaded a residential property at Millerd Street, Cork city. He stated that the tenants, who are Chinese nationals, did not know the invaders.
The Detective clarified that the accused person allegedly burst into two of the upper-level bedrooms at the same time, demanding cash and mobile phones from the terrified inhabitants who had just been startled awake and surrendered €200 and a laptop.
Despite fully cooperating with the demands, Detective Garda Barron detailed that the inhabitants underwent a lengthy and brutal attack. For around seven minutes, the accused allegedly continually assaulted the three victims with a crowbar even though they presented no opposition.
Det Garda Barron revealed that a male individual, aged 22, endured a 7cm tear to his forehead along with other traumas, while a 26-year-old female incurred a scalp wound measuring 4cm, as well as three fractured ribs. Additionally, a 22-year-old female necessitated surgical procedures, including the positioning of wire to support an injured hand.
Det Garda Barron mentioned that police were able to procure an extensive quantity of CCTV footage. This clearly depicted the suspects fleeing the scene and progressing towards the residence of Mr Cullinane.
An argument against bail was made by the police, stating significant narcotic addiction problems of the accused. Barron voiced concerns over potential crimes being committed by the accused to sustain their drug dependencies which could potentially put the Cork citizens at risk if the men were granted bail.
Barron was further questioned by Frank Buttimer, who is representing Mr Cullinane, and William Bullman BL for Mr Quinlan, about the conditions he could possibly agree to for granting bail to their clients. Barron stated there were no acceptable conditions.
The final decision was made by Judge Philip O’Leary, who denied bail. He ordered the men to remain in custody and indicated they would reappear on the 2nd of October through video conference.