Man tried to steal bike to get courier job, court hears
A Somalian man who knocked an elderly woman off her bike in Dublin wanted it to get a job as a bike courier, a court has heard.
Omar Farah, aged 33, from Camden Street in Dublin, was held on Friday after a passing solicitor saw the incident on the North Circular Road near Mountjoy Prison and wrestled him off a bicycle and on to the ground.
At Dublin District Court, Sergeant Paul Doran said he had charged Farrah with attempting to rob a male cyclist and robbing a female cyclist at around 1.30pm on Friday.
He told the court that Farah said he had applied for a job as a courier and had been told he must supply his own bike.
“I have spoken to his solicitor and I feel it might be a case for psychiatric treatment. He may be an individual who requires some help,” said Sgt Doran.
Farah is a Somalian national who has been living in the country for 10 years.
The court heard that Farah had attempted to steal a bicycle from a man in his 40s on the North Circular Road but had failed because the man could defend himself.
He then ran 200 yards up the road and knocked a 62-year-female cyclist off her bike, grabbed her handbag and cycled off on her bike. She grazed her hands and knees in the fall and was fortunate to avoid a passing lorry.
Farah, who is 6ft 4ins, was caught by a solicitor who pinned him to the ground until he received assistance from four off-duty prison officers.
He was arrested by gardaí from Store Street and detained overnight at the Bridewell Garda station
Sgt Doran said that when he charged Farah in the station on Friday night with attempting to rob the first cyclist, he replied: “I feel sorry and I apologise.”
When he charged him with the offence of robbing the female cyclist, he replied: “I sincerely apologise. I’m sorry.”
Judge Tom Fitzpatrick refused Farah bail but granted him legal aid.
He directed that he get psychiatric treatment and remanded him in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday August 31 at 10.30am.
