Defendants appear in court by video link

TECHNOLOGY IS USED TO AVOID TRAVEL DURING CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK

COMMUNICATION technology came into its own at Wexford District Court on Friday, March 20, as prisoners on remand were dealt with by video link between Belvedere Road and Dublin.

With the Government advising no unnecessary travel because of the coronavirus outbreak, the link was used to good effect.

A big screen on the wall beside Judge Brian O’Shea showed a live picture from the jail at Cloverhill with a timber topped table and a plastic chair.

First into the chair was 31-year-old Derek O’Kelly, facing charges in connection with an alleged robbery at a shop in Castlebridge.

It was alleged that the defendant from Mount Lacken, Castlebridge, stole €290 in cash from Ann Rutledge on March 14.

He was further charged with producing a knife in the course of the alleged robbery at Freddie’s Store.

Present in Wexford courthouse was solicitor Tim Cummings who made no application but said he had not had the chance to consult his client on the matter.

Judge Brian O’Shea pointed out that there is now an app called Jabber to allow such long-distance consultations.

The app was not required on this occasion as O’Kelly consented to a remand in custody, with no need for bail.

‘ That’s grand,’ he said to the judge when it was indicated that the matter would be adjourned to mid-April.

The accused then moved out of sight and the camera picked up glimpses of a prison officer wearing blue rubber gloves – the ‘CP’ initials on the epaulette of his shirt confirming that the pictures being beamed to Wexford came from Cloverhill Prison.

Next into the plastic seat was Simon Quilligan, formerly of Ryland Road in Bunclody, who is accused of threatening an ESB worker in January 2016.

After Quilligan had confirmed his name, the judge asked him which solicitor he wished to instruct in his defence.

The reply from the 37-year-old was solicitor Tim Kennelly and the court formally assigned the Dublin based lawyer to the case.

As Mr Kennelly was not present, the matter was dealt with on the day by his colleague John O’Donovan.

‘ Thank you very much, judge,’ said Quilligan as he was remanded in custody until May 22.

The granting of bail was not opposed at the District Court in the case of a man accused on the double of aggravated burglary in Saltmills.

Judge Brian O’Shea expressed some surprise that gardaí accepted that 27-yearold Dylan Cunningham from 4 Abbey Hall, New Ross, could remain at liberty.

It appeared to him that Cunningham had been caught red-handed and that the matter should be referred to a higher court.

However, he was told that terms of bail had been agreed with the superintendent in New Ross, subject to the judge’s approval.

A summary of what allegedly occurred in Saltmills on the evening of Thursday, March 19, was provided.

Gardaí responded to a report that a man carrying a knife had entered a house. This man was allegedly followed by the occupants of that premises to a second house, where two people in their nineties were resident, and he was apprehended there.

As conditions of bail, the accused agreed to sign on at New Ross garda station three times a week, surrender his passport, obey a curfew and continue residing in Abbey Hall. On that basis, the case was adjourned until May.