A BALLYDEHOB man charged with stealing cattle worth more than €50,000 over an eight-year period has been granted bail with strict conditions.
Colm Dineen (32) with an address at Cappaghmore, Ballydehob appeared in custody at Macroom District Court on Wednesday, where his solicitor Flor Murphy made a bail application on his behalf.
It was granted on condition that he stay out of the county of Cork and reside in Wexford until he can get a place at St Patrick’s Psychiatric Hospital in Dublin.
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Det Gda Martin Bohane told Judge Joanne Carroll the State was objecting to bail for fear the accused may commit further offences if released.
He said the theft of cattle has caused a lot of unrest in the local community, while a house was also ransacked in Rosscarbery.
He told the court the accused has admitted to all the charges facing him.
Solicitor Flor Murphy agreed his client has made full admissions, and the main reason for the bail application was to get his client assessed by a psychiatrist.
He said this could take up to six months due to long waiting list at Cork Prison.
‘His family have sourced a facility in Dublin but he can only take it up if he can get a referral from his GP,’ said Mr Murphy, who said his client has showed anxiety and depression since 2020 but there was no follow up with mental health services due to COVID.
The accused’s mother, Eileen Dineen, told Judge Carroll it was ‘like a bolt out of the blue’ when her son was arrested. She said she is worried about his mental health.
She said if he was granted bail she would take him to her sister’s holiday home in Wexford until a place was made available for him in Dublin.
Judge Carroll granted bail if he resides in Wexford in the care of his mother or in St Patrick’s Psychiatric Hospital in Dublin.
She also directed him to stay out of the county of Cork, surrender his passport, obey a curfew, sign on daily and provide his mobile phone number to gardaí.
He must also have no contact directly or indirectly with the injured parties, and abstain from social media usage other than with his immediate family.
Eileen Dineen was also accepted as an independent surety of €1,000 and was informed she could forfeit the money if any of the bail conditions are breached.
Judge Carroll said the bail granted is on the basis that he will be in St Patrick’s Psychiatric Hospital by the next court date in Clonakilty on March 3rd next.
She remanded him on bail in a cash bond of €200 and told his mother that she is going to have to apply measures to ensure he doesn’t escape at night.
The accused faces four theft charges and one burglary charge including the alleged theft of 12 Friesian heifers and six Friesian bulls worth €30,00 from the farm of Brian Lawlor at Lakelands, near Skibbereen on November 24th 2025.
