Ireland Man jailed for robbing dog owner with lump hammer in Cork
On 11 April 2021 at 4.30pm, Michael Molloy, a 28-year-old man from Carrigtohill, Co Cork, jumped from a Ford Focus and swung a lump hammer at Denis McCarthy before grabbing his French bulldog Rocco at Ballincollie Road, Ballyvolane, northside of Cork city. McCarthy obtained partial registration details and gardaí traced the car to Molloy, who was captured on his own home CCTV taking the dog, concealed in a blanket, from his car. The dog was reunited with McCarthy later that evening. Molloy, who had 69 previous convictions, entered a guilty plea at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. In September 2021, Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin sentenced Molloy to two years in prison and a two-year driving disqualification.
- Reportednot reported
- Arrestednot reported
- Chargednot reported
- In courtnot reported
- Verdictnot reported
- Sentenced7 Sep
2 reports
Key facts
consolidated from all reports- What happened
- Michael Molloy jumped from a Ford Focus, swung a lump hammer at Denis McCarthy, and grabbed his French bulldog Rocco.
- Where
- The robbery took place at Ballincollie Road, Ballyvolane, northside of Cork city.
- When
- The incident occurred at 4.30pm on 11 April 2021.
- Weapon
- Molloy swung a lump hammer twice or three times in the direction of McCarthy's head.
- Investigation
- McCarthy obtained partial registration details and gardaí traced the car to Molloy, who was captured on his own home CCTV taking the dog, concealed in a blanket, from his car.
- Charges
- Molloy was charged with robbery.
- In court
- Molloy entered a guilty plea at Cork Circuit Criminal Court before Judge Seán Ó Donnabháin.
- Sentence
- Molloy was jailed for two years and disqualified from driving for two years.
- Other details
- Molloy, a father of four from Carrigtohill, Co Cork, had 69 previous convictions and had been in custody since April 2021.
- The dog was reunited with McCarthy later that evening after McCarthy launched a social media appeal for the animal.
32 statements extracted from the articles
- whatMolloy is a father of four. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe stolen dog was a French bulldog named Rocco. (irishtimes.com)
- whatA Ford Focus pulled up beside the dog owner. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMolloy jumped out of the back of the vehicle and swung a lump hammer twice or three times in the direction of McCarthy's head. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMolloy demanded the dog be handed over and then grabbed it and took it into the vehicle. (irishtimes.com)
- whatThe dog owner was reunited with his animal later that evening. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMcCarthy launched a social media appeal in relation to the dog. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMolloy has been in custody since April 2021. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMolloy has 69 previous convictions. (irishtimes.com, extra.ie)
- whatMolloy was employed prior to the pandemic. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMolloy suffered from a drink and drug problem. (irishtimes.com)
- whatMolloy was jailed for two years for the robbery. (extra.ie)
- whatA Ford Focus pulled up beside McCarthy and Molloy jumped out of the back of the vehicle. (extra.ie)
- whatMolloy grabbed the dog and took it into the car, which was driven away. (extra.ie)
- whatThe dog was concealed in a blanket when Molloy brought it home. (extra.ie)
- whatThe dog was reunited with its owner that evening. (extra.ie)
- whereMolloy lives at An Faill, Cúl Árd, Carrigtohill, Co Cork. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe robbery took place at Ballincollie Road in Ballyvolane on the northside of Cork city. (irishtimes.com)
- whereThe incident took place at Ballincollie Road in Ballyvolane, northside of Cork city. (extra.ie)
- whenThe robbery occurred on 11 April 2021 at 4.30pm. (irishtimes.com, extra.ie)
- investigationMolloy was captured on his own home CCTV taking the dog concealed in a blanket from his car. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationThe dog owner managed to get partial registration details and gardaí traced the car to Molloy. (irishtimes.com)
- investigationMolloy was captured on his own home CCTV system taking the animal from his car. (extra.ie)
- investigationThe dog owner obtained partial registration details and gardaí traced the car to Molloy. (extra.ie)
- courtMolloy entered a guilty plea to the robbery charge. (irishtimes.com, extra.ie)
- courtJudge Seán Ó Donnabháin sentenced Molloy. (irishtimes.com)
- courtThe case was heard at Cork Circuit Criminal Court. (extra.ie)
- sentenceMichael Molloy was jailed for two years. (irishtimes.com)
- sentenceMolloy was disqualified from driving for two years. (irishtimes.com, extra.ie)
- otherMolloy had been in custody since April 2021. (extra.ie)
- otherMcCarthy launched a social media appeal for the stolen dog. (extra.ie)
- otherMcCarthy described the dog as being like a child and said his world was ripped away from him. (extra.ie)
The reporting
newest first- 8 Sep2021Thief who stole bulldog after threatening owner with lump hammer jailed - Extra.ie
Sentencing report: Molloy received a two-year custodial sentence backdated to April 2021 and a two-year driving disqualification. The article includes details of the incident, the CCTV evidence, the victim's social media appeal, and the judge's remarks.
victim, Denis McCarthy, male, irish (judged from name)Denis McCarthyconvicted, Michael Molloy, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Molloy - 7 Sep2021Man caught on his own CCTV with stolen dog after attacking owner
Adds details on the CCTV evidence showing Molloy running into his house with the dog in a blanket, his 69 previous convictions, the specific time and location (4.30pm, Ballincollie Road, Ballyvolane), the Ford Focus used, the social media appeal by the victim, the judge's comments, and the defence barrister's remarks.
victim, Denis McCarthy, male, irish (judged from name)Denis McCarthyconvicted, Michael Molloy, 28, male, named, irish (judged from name)Michael Molloy