Two in court over Cork petrol station robbery

Two men have appeared in court in connection with a robbery where raiders armed with knives held up staff at a service station in Cork city earlier this week.

Conor O’Connor (33) and Eoin O’Sullivan (26) were both brought before a special sitting of Cork District Court this morning in connection with the robbery on Thursday night.

Both men were charged with robbery at the Topaz Service Station on Leitrim Street in Cork on May 29th when they appeared before Judge Olann Kelleher.

Det Garda Eimear Brennan gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in relation to Mr O'Connor and she told the court he replied he was sorry when the charge was put to him after caution.

She said that gardaí had no objection to bail for Mr O'Connor once certain conditions were met including that he reside at his address at 27 Leitrim Street and abide by a curfew.

She also sought Mr O’Connor to sign on every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Bridewell Garda Station, abstain from intoxicants and stay away from the Topaz Service Station.

Mr O'Connor's barrister, John Devlin BL said his client was agreeable to these conditions and Judge Kelleher remanded him on his own bond of € 400 to appear in court again on Tuesday.

Det Garda Niall O’Connell gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution in relation to Mr O’Sullivan and told the court that Mr O’Sullivan made no reply to the charge after caution.

He said that gardaí were objecting to bail for Mr O’Sullivan from Bride Valley View, Fairhill because of the seriousness of the charge and the strength of the evidence against him.

Solicitor, Eddie Burke said his instructions were to seek bail for his client so that he could continue attending a methadone programme to deal with a heroin addiction.

Judge Kelleher refused bail and remanded Mr O’Sullivan in custody to appear in court again on Tuesday and he ordered that he receive appropriate medical attention while in custody.

Judge Kelleher granted free legal aid to both accused after hearing that both were unemployed and in receipt of social welfare payments.