Cork man charged with carrying out two burglaries at home of elderly woman
At Court The Was Accused Cork Denied Bail District
A 90-year-old woman had bedclothes pulled from her at three o’clock in the morning over Christmas by an intruder who broke into her home and she was left terrified.
Detective Garda Brian Murphy objected to bail being granted to 38-year-old Thomas Murray, of 186 Rathpeacon Road, who was arrested and charged with burgling the elderly woman’s home on two occasions – once at 3am on December 27, 2024.
The detective said that during the summer, Mr Murray had done some lawnmowing and odd jobs at the home of the 90-year-old woman and allegedly burgled her home in July 2024.
Det Garda Murphy said the intruder entered the woman’s home at Closes Road, Farranree, Cork, on December 27 when she was asleep in her bed and that he shook her violently and shouted at her asking where her purse was.
“He gained entry by smashing a rear kitchen window. This male then proceeded to pull the pillows from under her and stripped the duvet off the bed.
“When the injured party attempted to call 999, the male grabbed the phone line from her and cut the phone line preventing her from making the call.
“He searched the bedroom drawers for money before leaving via a back door. Gardaí from the serious investigations units initiated an investigation. The homeowner made a detailed statement saying that the man who carried out this burglary was the man who had completed jobs for her during the summer of 2024.
“A large quantity of CCTV was harvested from various areas of Farranree, establishing that at 3.02am on December 27 a man exits the front door of 186 Rathpeacon Road, the home of Thomas Murray. He had a bicycle in his possession.
“He leaves the bicycle on railings before jumping into the front garden (at Closes Road). Lights can be seen turning on and a silhouette of a person can be seen inside. He runs from the scene, gets on to his bike before entering the front door of 186 Rathpeacon Road 21 minutes later,” Det Garda Murphy said.
Defence solicitor Frank Buttimer submitted that it was a suitable case for bail. He said Mr Murray denied carrying out the burglary. He said that the defendant did carry out odd jobs last summer for the lady but did not burgle her home.
As well as the alleged burglary on December 27, there was a charge brought against him related to another burglary at the same house on July 31 when it is alleged he pushed her aside at her front door and stole €3,000 in cash from inside the house.
Explaining why a charge related to this alleged offence was only being brought now, Det Garda Murphy said the 90-year-old injured party reported it at the time but did not make a formal statement of complaint until the more recent alleged burglary on December 27.
Judge Mary Dorgan refused bail and remanded Thomas Murray in custody until January 9, on the application of Sergeant Dave Delea at Cork District Court.