Addict is accused of attempted robberies in Ferns
THE book of evidence against attempted robbery accused Matthew Connick (25) of 14 Silverdale in Kilmuckridge was served at the District Court sitting in Ardcavan of June 21.
Garda Sergeant Rory Sheriff confirmed that he had handed over the paperwork to the defendant who was sent forward for trial at Wexford District Court.
Connick, described by his solicitor John O’Donovan as a chronic heroin addict, stood accused of attempted robbery of the Mace supermarket in Ferns on January 23.
He was further charged with threatening robbery of Tony Davitt and making threats with a syringe at Davitt’s music store in Ferns on January 23, 2016.
It was also alleged that he damaged a window at the parochial house in Ferns €200 on January 22, 2016.
The sergeant was prepared to oppose the granting of bail but Mr O’Donovan said he had no intention of looking for the release of his client.
Other charges were retained in the District Court, with a plea of guilty entered to theft of €26 worth of clothes from Penneys in Wexford on February 21.
The solicitor said that Connick was homeless, dishevelled and homeless when was intercepted by store security staff with the stolen goods.
Judge John King took into account five previous convictions for theft as he imposed a six month sentence for the Penneys offence, the final two months suspended.
Mr O’Donovan was concerned that that his client’s safety would be seriously at risk in the Midlands Prison but the judge replied that this was a matter for the authorities in the jail rather than for the court.