Two men have appeared in Cork District Court charged in connection with an investigation into the reported thefts of thousands of euro in cash from elderly householders in Cork city.

Denis O'Brien, 29, of Ballyspillane, Killarney, Co Kerry, is charged with the theft of €600 from a woman at Brian Dillon Park in Cork on 26 September.

He is also charged with stealing a €4,900 cheque from the same woman on the same date; with the alleged theft of a blank cheque; and with stealing €4,500 in cash from her on the following day.

Gardaí objected to bail being granted saying they believed the man would target elderly vulnerable people throughout the country if he was released but the accused said in his bail application that he was presently donating money to charity.

Judge Olann Kelleher acceded to the State's application to remand Mr O'Brien in custody for one week and refused him bail.

A second man, John Moriarty of Ballyspillane, Killarney, Co Kerry, was charged with four counts of theft.

These relate to alleged thefts on 7, 9, 12, 13 August at a house in Glasheen in Cork city.

It is alleged Mr Moriarty stole sums of €4,500, €3,000, €5,000 and €4,000 - a total of €16,500 on those dates.

There was no objection to bail being granted to Mr Moriarty subject to a number of conditions. He is to appear again before the court on 4 November next.