A man accused of a number of cattle rustling incidents in west Cork has been given strict bail conditions and ordered to stay out of Co Cork.

The accused, 32-year-old Colm Dineen of Cappaghmore, Ballydehob, appeared before Judge Joanne Carroll at a sitting of Macroom District Court on Wednesday 21 January.

Flor Murphy, solicitor for Mr Dineen, told the court that his client would be admitted to St Patrick’s mental health services in Dublin, but in order to do so, he would have to be referred by his GP in west Cork. This referral could only be made if Mr Dineen was released on bail to attend his GP, the court heard.

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Detective Garda Martin Bohane said that due to the seriousness of the offences and the risk that he would reoffend if released, gardaí were objecting to bail being granted for Mr Dineen.

Det Gda Bohane informed the court that Mr Dineen had admitted to the charges put to him, along with other offences which he may also be charged with at a future date.

He also told the court that Mr Dineen had admitted to “getting a kick” out of committing some of the offences.

Waiting list

Mr Murphy said that if bail was not granted, his client would be on a waiting list for six months before he could be referred to psychiatric services within the prison system.

He added that Mr Dineen’s mother Eileen had already been in contact with St Patrick’s Hospital and his GP and the family were anxious that he is admitted as soon as possible.

Mrs Dineen told the court that if released on bail, Dineen would reside at an address in Wexford with her and her brother until he was admitted to psychiatric services.

The judge noted that Mr Dineen had no previous convictions, made admissions and was fully co-operative. She also noted that he had attended a psychiatric assessment in 2020, but, due to COVID-19 restrictions, his treatment did not progress.

Judge Carroll granted Mr Dineen bail on condition that he resides at an address provided to the court in Wexford with his mother until his is admitted to St Patrick's. He was also required to sign on daily at Wexford Garda Station, stay out of Co Cork and observe a curfew from 9pm to 8am.

He was also required to be contactable by mobile phone at all times, to have no contact with any of the alleged injured parties, to abstain from using social media except for with immediate family members and to abstain from intoxicants in public.

Cash surety

The accused’s mother was also required to provide a €1,000 cash surety, as well as guarantee a €1,000 bond in her name.

Mr Dineen was remanded on bail on his own bond of €200 cash to appear again at Clonakilty District Court by video link on 3 March 2026. The judge said: “Bail is granted on the basis that he is going to St Patrick’s Hospital.”

Mr Dineen is charged with a number of offences that are contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Fraud and Theft Offences) Act 2001.

The charges relate to the theft of 18 cattle owned by Brian Lawlor from lands at Lakelands, Skibbereen, Co Cork, on 24 November 2025. He is also charged with three other incidents of cattle thefts that occurred in the Skibbereen area of Co Cork between December 2017 and November 2025.

A fifth charge relates to entering a house in Rosscarbery as a trespasser and theft.