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A 77-year-old west Cork man has been sent forward for trial to the next sitting of the Circuit Criminal Court in Tralee on a plea of not guilty of allegedly stealing cash from a 93-year-old Kenmare man, Eugene O’Sullivan, known locally as Ireland’s oldest drover.
Patrick Hurley of Carhoogarriffe, Leap, Co Cork, appeared at Kenmare District Court last week, walking with the aid of a crutch.
The book of evidence was served, the court was told.
Charges
An application was made by the State to amend the charges from an unknown location in Kerry to read an unknown location “in Kenmare” in the case of the four alleged offences.
Padraig O’Connell, the solicitor for the accused, said he was not formally objecting to the amendment, as it did not prejudice his client as his client was pleading not guilty.
Mr Hurley is accused of stealing €20,000 in cash from the property of Mr O’Sullivan on 2 February 2016 at an unknown location in Kenmare.
He is further charged with stealing a sum of €50,000 in cash from Mr O’Sullivan on 15 March 2017, again at an unknown location in Kenmare.
Both of these charges are contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act.
Mr Hurley is also charged that on both 2 February 2016 and 3 March 2017 “he did dishonestly by deception induce" Eugene O’ Sullivan to withdraw the cash “to give to you to make a gain for yourself”.
These two charges are contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act.
No objection to bail
Sgt Miriam Mulhall Nolan said gardaí had no objection to bail.
Judge David Waters sent Mr Hurley forward on bail on his own bond on all four charges to the next sitting of the Circuit Criminal Court in Tralee.
The judge also granted legal aid for one junior counsel and a solicitor.
Ninety-three-year-old Eugene O’Sullivan from Parnell Park in Kenmare is considered Ireland’s oldest sheep drover and is attached to Kenmare Mart.
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