TWO MEN WHO were recently charged in connection with an incident where a scissor lift was driven on to a pedestrian bridge causing some of its floor to crash in to the River Lee in Cork are to apply for bail in the High Court.

Patrick Costin (18) and Kyle Boyle (31) appeared before Cork District Court by video link today in connection with a sequence of events which occurred on 2 November last.

A number of videos previously appeared on social media of the scissor lift being operated at streets in Cork city centre whilst men jumped in its cage.

Garda Paul McCarthy previously told Judge Mary Dorgan that at 8.20pm on 2 November gardaí were informed that a scissor lift which was due to be collected had been taken from St Patrick’s Quay in Cork city. Garda McCarthy said the keys were in one of the compartments of the cage as it was set to be picked up.

“It is alleged that on the quay and on roads and pedestrian footpaths along the centre of Cork City there was dangerous driving.

“This incident occurred at a time when both road and pedestrian traffic in the city centre was busy and the incident was captured on mobile phone cameras and shared on social media by multiple witnesses at different parts of the route. The scissor-lift was brought to a stop by gardaí on South Gate Bridge where arrests were made.

“Kyle Boyle was also seen to be in control of the vehicle and was intoxicated at the time of operating it… On Oliver Plunkett Street a number of vulnerable pedestrians were nearby.”

Mr Boyle, who is originally from Co Donegal, said that he had been “on the beer for four or five days” by 2 November last having flown in to Cork from Britain. He had apologised for his behaviour which he attributed to being “very, very intoxicated.”

His co accused Mr Costin, who is a native of Mayfield in Cork city, said that they had also been drinking whilst on the lift.

The court heard that the Mary Elmes Bridge was damaged in the incident. Garda McCarthy said pedestrians were left at risk of falling in to the river as a result of the damage and it had to be temporarily sealed off for public safety.

Today in Cork District Court Sgt John Kelleher asked that the case be further adjourned for DPP directions.

The two men, who both have an address at Cork Simon Community, were previously refused bail at district court level. Judge Mary Dorgan further remanded Mr Boyle and Mr Costin in custody until 25 November next.

The men were informed that if they receive bail at High Court level they must appear in person in Cork District Court on 25 November.

Mr Boyle is charged with unlawfully taking possession of a scissor lift, damaging a metal bollard on Oliver Plunkett Street in Cork city centre, causing €1,000 in structural damage to steel floor grates of Mary Elmes Bridge and five counts of dangerous driving at streets in Cork city centre.

Mr Costin is charged with allowing himself to be carried in a stolen vehicle, namely the scissor lift. He also faces a charge of causing damage to a bollard at Oliver Plunkett Street in Cork city.