In shed behind parochial house
BAIL terms, including a requirement for a cash lodgement, were set for a 34-year-old man found by gardaí in a shed at the rear of the parochial house in Wexford town.
Trespass accused Paddy Connors of 30 Melrose Court, George’s Street was brought before the District Court on June 23 after being arrested the previous evening.
Garda Karl Breheny reminded Judge Gerard Haughton that Connors was already on bail in another burglary case, granted back in April.
The garda felt that his prisoner was back on drugs and he formally opposed bail, though the defendant offered to undergo a urine test.
Garda Breheny said Connors was likely to re-offend to feed his drug habit.
Defending solicitor Tim Cummings said his client was on methadone and noted there were no arrest warrants outstanding for Connors.
The accused said he went to the parochial house looking for Fr O’Shea who taught him as a Brother during schooldays – ‘He helps me out every now and then when I’m stuck.’
There was no answer when he knocked, though he said he could see people ‘ hiding inside who would not come out to him.
He confirmed he was on methadone, adding that he was also smoking some cannabis, but insisting that he was not taking any heavy drugs.
He acknowledged that he would have to do time in prison eventually but he wanted to break his departure for jail to his three-year -ld son. He accepted he had no permission to go through the gate which brought him to the shed where he told the gardaí he was looking for bric-a-brac.
Judge Haughton remanded the defendant in custody to the court sitting of June 27 but set strict bail terms, which included a nightly curfew, signing on three times a day at Wexford garda station and an independent cash surety of €150.