Man accused of burglary in North Kerry GARDAÍ ALLEGE MAN TOOK CAR AND BROKE INTO HOUSE
GARDAÍ objected to bail for a Clare man they allege burgled a home in North Kerry last week, citing concerns over ‘interference’ with witnesses in what, they said, was a likely bid to stop proceedings.
Martin Ward, Bohatch, Mountshannon, County Clare, was brought before Judge David Waters at a sitting of Listowel District Court on Friday.
Mr Ward (30) was charged with having burgled the home of Bridie Keane, Clounprohus, Moyvane, on Thursday last, November 8, while it was unoccupied and with the unauthorised taking of a VW Polo at Laccaroe, Feakle, County Clare in the early hours of the November 8.
Detective Gda Emma Mullane told the Court that Mr Ward made no reply to either charge when they were brought at Listowel Garda Station on Friday morning.
Det Mullane told the Court the State was objecting to bail.
“I believe that if the accused is released he will make every effort to interfere with, and cajole witnesses in an attempt to stop proceedings.”
She also described the man as a flight risk.
“Are you saying there is a risk of interfering with witnesses?” Judge Waters asked.
“The sister of the accused has been told more or less to withdraw her statement in relation to the unauthorised taking of a vehicle,” Det Mullane replied.
Asked as to the strength of the evidence in the case of the charges, Det Mullane said there was ‘interparty’ witness statements in both; in the case of the Moyvane theft there was also a witness statement identifying the property stolen from her home as her property.
Det Mullane said that there was CCTV evidence in the case of the unauthorised taking of the car also. She said that Mr Ward made no admissions in relation to either incident.
The vehicle was since recoverd, the Court heard.
Solicitor Brendan Ahern applied for bail for his client saying that he had never been outside Ireland and did not possess a passport.
“Mr Ward was in the Garda Station overnight. It’s your evicence that he interfered with witnesses today?” Mr Ahern asked Det Mullane. The Court heard the alleged interference was via a third party.
“There’s no evidence he had contacted or put the person up to it is there?” Mr Ahern asked. “No,” Det Mullane replied. “It may have been a family member who had taken it upon themselves?” “Yes.”
Mr Ahern also asked if it was correct that the witness statement in relation to the burglary did not ‘put’ Mr Ward at the scene.
Det Mullane replied that that was correct.
“In relation to the unauthorised taking there are two statements, neither of these statements state that the witnesses saw Mr Ward taking the car,” Mr Ahern said, asking Det Mullane:
“In relation to the CCTV that was shown to Mr Ward, you would have to accept that it’s of a very poor quality?”
“Yes Judge, it wouldn’t be great,” she replied, adding that the CCTV footage showed an individual wearing clothing similar to the clothing Mr Ward was ‘wearing when he was arrested’.
He also asked Det Mullane if she would be satisfied for bail to be granted on strict condition Mr Ward would sign on daily at a garda station and abide by a curfew.
She said there were no conditions that could attach to a bail that would prove satisfactory to the State.
Judge Waters asked if the home Mr Ward allegedly burgled was occupied at the time. He was informed it was not.
The court heard that one €50 note and two €10 notes were among the items burgled there. All the property was recovered the Court heard.
Judge Waters said that he accepted Det Mullane’s evidence, remanding Mr Ward in custody to appear before Listowel District Court on Thursday next. “I cannot see that there are any conditions I can attach that would allay the fears of the State...I refuse bail on that basis,” the Judge said.
It is expected the directions of the DPP will be furnished at the Thursday sitting, November 15.