Man allegedly held door during robbery at Cork shop

CASES against a man arising out of a knifepoint robbery at a shop and another charge of having €5,000 worth of heroin on his person were put back until July 23 at Cork District Court.

Directions are awaited from the Director of Public Prosecutions in both cases.

The accused, Keith Heaphy, was remanded in custody by Judge Mary Dorgan.

The prosecution previously objected to bail, based on the seriousness of the charges.

It was also alleged that he was caught red-handed with the stash of heroin when taken into custody at a Garda station. Garda Eoin O’Sullivan testified that Mr Heaphy, aged 37, was allegedly caught with €5,000 worth of diamorphine (heroin) at the Bridewell Garda Station on May 21.

It was alleged that he disposed of crack cocaine when he was approached, but that he was caught with the stash of heroin. He was charged with having that drug for the purpose of sale or supply.

Gda O’Sullivan also outlined the seriousness of the alleged robbery.

“On January 16 at 9.20pm at O’Keeffe’s shop in St Luke’s, two men approached,” said Gda O’Sullivan. “One demanded money from a member of staff behind the counter, and produced a large kitchen knife.

“A second man stood at the door as €400 was robbed.”

It was alleged that Keith Heaphy was the second man standing at the door while this was happening.

Gda O’Sullivan said that when questioned by gardaí, Mr Heaphy told them he was addicted to crack cocaine.

When Mr Heaphy got into the witness box at Cork District Court to give evidence, Sergeant John Kelleher asked him if he was aware of the principle of joint enterprise, where both parties could be deemed to be involved in carrying out the same crime, even when they played different parts in it.

Mr Heaphy said he understood that, but later added: “I didn’t do anything — just holding the door, that was it.”

Mr Heaphy, whose address was given in evidence as Barrett’s Buildings, Blarney St, Cork, was remanded in custody on the robbery and drug-dealing charges.