A male and female have been accused of being involved in the mugging incident of a French scholar in Cork, during which it is claimed a tutor who attempted to aid was stabbed in the back. The pair, both in their late 20s, were taken to Cork District Court where they were individually indicted of robbing the French scholar on Patrick Street in Cork, took place on July 23rd.
Due to legal reasons, Judge Mary Dorgan ordered that the accused pair’s identities be kept hidden but indicated that she might revisit this decision in the future. Detective Garda Conor Cronin indicated that neither party responded upon being formally accused.
However, the man’s bail was objected by the gardaí due to severity of the charges and substantial evidence. It is alleged that a French student group was on Patrick Street with their tutors around 10.20pm on July 23rd. They were approached by this couple. The female in the pair accused a boy in the group of mocking her. Subsequently, she seized a Samsung mobile from a girl in the group and raced towards Merchant’s Quay.
The incident escalated when a male tutor chased the woman to reclaim the mobile, it is alleged that he was battered in the back by the man. It’s believed that the man stabbed the tutor up to 10 times in the back using what was likely a screwdriver. They both then fled the scene.
Detective Garda Cronin said they were able to identify the culprits using CCTV footage from the area. Detective Garda Brian Murphy met the pair in Fermoy on Wednesday, where the woman surrendered the stolen Samsung phone. The man confessed he was aware the phone was lifted.
In a CCTV recording shown to him at his interview, the man identified himself and admitted to the crime of robbery. However, he denied allegations of stabbing a French tutor. The authenticity of his denial was further examined by his lawyer, Alan O’Dwyer BL, when no sight of a screwdriver was captured in the CCTV recordings.
Detective Garda Cronin confirmed that even though the weapon was not visible in the footage, they have collected testimonials from three individuals who alleged the educationist was indeed attacked with a knife during the incident.
Det Garda Cronin reported no objection from the police regarding releasing the woman involved, subject to certain conditions, which according to Mr O’Dwyer, the woman was ready to comply.
Judge Dorgan granted the woman bail for a bond of €1,000, under certain stipulations. She was ordered to check-in daily at her neighbourhood Garda station, follow an 11 pm to 6 am curfew, abstain from all stimulants and ensure the police are provided with a contact number. A hearing to discuss the matter and further directions will take place on September 26th at the Cork District Court.
Simultaneously, the man was held in custody, although he was consented to bail for his own bond of €1,000. Out of this, he is required to submit €750 in cash and appear again on July 30th via video conference if detained or physically if released. His bail conditions include a 6 pm to 8 am curfew, submission of a contact number to the police, and a mandate to cooperate with the Arbour House Treatment Centre. He is also ordered to take urine tests every three weeks to certify that he is clean from any drug use.