Cork man jailed for threatening to stab woman and children before stealing car from their driveway
38-year-old Patrick Heaphy, who was living at an address at Riverside Wharf at the time of the crime, was sentenced on Friday to three-and-a-half years in prison with the last year suspended at Cork Circuit Criminal Court.
The accused man expressed shame at his own actions and could not believe he had made such violent threats in the woman's house in the Cobh area on the night of November 11, 2024.
Patrick Heaphy got a taxi to the house and entered it while carrying a knife, announcing on his arrival: 'I will stab ye all.' He insisted on knowing who owned the cars in the driveway and demanded the car keys.
Ultimately, he was given a set of keys, drove away in the particular Skoda Octavia and crashed it into a pole. He was arrested following the arrival of emergency services.
He was highly intoxicated on the night. While he had serious previous convictions he had been working and staying out of trouble but his life spiraled out of control with his reaction to the death of his partner. As a result, he lost his job and lost his home.
When informed by gardaí about exactly what he said and did in the house during the aggravated burglary he was shaking his head in disbelief. He apologised for his behaviour. He said he wanted to acknowledge his wrongdoing to the woman and her children and did not ask for forgiveness.
On the night, the woman shouted upstairs to her children to lock themselves in their rooms. There was no physical altercation, apart from the threat he made to stab everyone.
Judge Behan said the incident happened in a family home where the woman and her children had a right to feel safe and secure.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
5 days ago
- Sunday World
Dubliner claims he's innocent after arson attack destroyed Cork pensioners' home
The two pensioners - both aged in their 80s - were not the actual target of the incident A man is vehemently protesting his innocence in respect of an alleged arson attack which caused €550,000 in damage and totally destroyed the home of two Cork pensioners. Paul McCarthy of Dowth Avenue, Cabra, Dublin, appeared before Cork District Court on a charge of arson at Fernbrook, Ballincrokig, in Co Cork, on April 24 last. The court previously heard that Mr McCarthy (37) was allegedly one of three men who drove from Dublin to Cork to set fire to a house. It was also previously alleged that the incident was video-recorded by one of the men. The two pensioners - both aged in their 80s - were not the actual target of the incident. Sgt John Kelleher told Judge John King that €550,000 worth of damage was caused to the property involved by the blaze. He stated this led to the 'complete destruction' of the house. Sgt Kelleher said that Mr McCarthy first appeared before the court on May 7 last in connection with his alleged role in the incident. He has been remanded in custody since. Sgt Kelleher said that forensic results are awaited in the case following the search of two properties. Gardaí applied for a four-week remand in custody in the case. Defence counsel Nicholas Hall BL said that his client will be insisting that he is entirely innocent of the crime. He stated that the searches were carried out early on and asked that the matter be expedited. Judge King remanded Mr McCarthy in ongoing custody until August 20 next for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The accused will appear by video link again on that date. Garda Brian Murphy previously objected to bail when the matter first came before Cork District Court. He said that it was alleged that at 9pm on April 24 last a car arrived at the house in Ballincollig and three people emerged from the vehicle. "Two entered the curtilage of the property and ignited two glass petrol bombs with a blowtorch. They smashed a bedroom window and threw in these petrol bombs,' he said. 'The third person – believed to be Paul McCarthy – stands close to the vehicle and allegedly films the incident on his mobile phone. The Skoda Octavia enters the Plaza filling station in Portlaoise just before midnight and Paul McCarthy is identified, filling the car with €30 diesel and leaving without paying.' The vehicle was also detected passing the Watergrasshill toll plaza at 8.30pm that evening. Garda Murphy said that a man aged 87 and his 86-year-old wife were watching television in the house at the time. He told the court that the house was quickly engulfed in flames but the couple were unharmed. Garda Murphy said that if it had been a short time later the pensioners would have been in bed with potentially tragic consequences. 'Paul McCarthy had complete disregard for the elderly occupants of the property which was completely destroyed. From the initial investigations, gardai are not of the belief that these persons were the intended victims,' he said. He added that it was alleged that Mr McCarthy drove from Dublin with the two other individuals. Gardaí indicated to the court that, from their investigations, the two pensioners are not believed to have been the targets of the attack.
The Irish Sun
08-08-2025
- The Irish Sun
Mysterious new ‘clue' in hunt for woman, 22, feared to be in water after belongings found on bridge
Cops are asking the woman, or anybody who recognises her, to contact them MAJOR SEARCH Mysterious new 'clue' in hunt for woman, 22, feared to be in water after belongings found on bridge THERE is a mysterious new development in the search for a young woman after her belongings were found on a bridge. Police are trying to find a mystery woman, who has long dark hair, as part of their investigation. Advertisement 4 Police are desperately searching for Gwenno Credit: WNS 4 Police are trying to find a mystery woman, who has long dark hair, as part of their investigation Credit: North Wales Police 4 Gwenno Ephraim was spotted walking alone in the direction of Menai Bridge in north Wales - with the mystery woman on the other side of the road. The 22-year-old's personal items were found on the crossing the following morning as a search was launched for her by police, HM Coastguard and the RNLI. Police issued a picture of the female pedestrian with dark hair in the hope she can shed light on what happened. Cops are asking her, or anybody who recognises her, to contact them. Advertisement Chief Inspector Stephen Pawson said: 'CCTV footage of the time Gwenno was walking alone also captures a female pedestrian crossing on the opposite side of the bridge. 'We are continuing to appeal for this individual to come forward and assist with the investigation." Police also believe drivers of a Silver Audi TT, a black Skoda Octavia, and a grey BMW 116 may have seen Gwenno after the cars were captured on CCTV. Gwenno was last seen in the upper Bangor area in Gwynedd, North Wales, on July 28 wearing grey joggers, a grey hoodie and black trainers. Advertisement North Wales Police believe that she was making her way towards the Menai Suspension Bridge. Chief Inspector Stephen Pawson said: 'Extensive searches remain underway in the Menai Strait area, and we continue to provide support to Gwenno's family during this extremely difficult time. 'Having analysed CCTV footage, we are confident that Gwenno reached the Menai Suspension Bridge shortly before 11:10pm. "We're appealing for this individual to come forward and assist with the investigation. Advertisement 'We're also keen to speak with a cyclist and the drivers of three cars, who were all seen travelling across the bridge at around the same time.' These vehicles included a Silver Audi TT, a black Skoda Octavia, and a grey BMW 116. "We are grateful to all who have responded to our prior requests for information, and to those who have assisted in our investigation to date." The Menai Suspension Bridge connects the island of Anglesey and mainland Wales. Advertisement The Grade I listed structure was the world's first iron suspension bridge when it opened almost 200 years ago. Anyone with information should contact police.
Irish Examiner
06-08-2025
- Irish Examiner
Man accused of role in 'complete destruction' of Cork house 'protesting his innocence'
A man who was allegedly involved in an arson attack which caused the 'complete destruction' of the home of a couple in their late 80s is 'protesting his innocence,' a court has heard. Paul McCarthy of Dowth Avenue, Cabra in Dublin appeared before Cork District Court on a charge of arson at Fernbrook, Ballincrokig in Co Cork on April 24 last. The court previously heard that Mr McCarthy, aged 37, was allegedly one of three men who drove from Dublin to Cork to set fire to a house. Gardaí also previously alleged that the arson was video recorded by one of the men and that the pensioners were not the target of the attack. Sgt John Kelleher told Judge John King that €550,000 in fire damage was caused to the property. This, he stated, led to the 'complete destruction' of the house. He said that Mr McCarthy first appeared before the court on May 7 last in connection with his alleged role in the incident. He has been remanded in custody since. Sgt Kelleher said that forensic results are awaited in the case following the search of two properties. He applied for a four-week remand in custody in the case. Defence barrister Nicholas Hall said that his client insists that he is innocent of the crime. He stated that the searches were carried out 'early on' and asked that the matter be expedited. Judge King remanded Mr McCarthy in custody until August 20 next for DPP directions. The accused will appear by video link again on that date. Case background Meanwhile, Garda Brian Murphy previously objected to bail when the matter first came before Cork District Court. He said that it was alleged that at 9pm on April 24 last a car arrived at the house in Ballincollig and three people exited. "Two enter the curtilage of the property and ignited two glass petrol bombs with a blowtorch. They smashed a bedroom window and threw in these petrol bombs. 'The third person – believed to be Paul McCarthy – stands close to the vehicle and allegedly films the incident on his mobile phone. "The Skoda Octavia enters the Plaza filling station in Portlaoise just before midnight and Paul McCarthy is identified, filling the car with €30 diesel and leaving without paying.' Garda Murphy said that a man aged 87 and his 86-year-old wife were watching television in the house at the time. He told the court that the house was quickly engulfed in flames but the couple were unharmed.
