Man had device that could block signal for car locks
A man who was in possession of a device which could block a car’s central locking system is facing a community service order at Bray District Court.
Patrick Cawley (48), Ard Cath Road, Garrystown, Dublin, was approaching a checkpoint on the Southern Cross on November 6, 2016. when gardaí saw a ladies’ bag being thrown from the back of the vehicle.
The court heard that the bag had been taken from another car moments earlier.
Gardaí searched the car and occupants. Cawley had €980 on him and the other occupants of the vehicle had €90 and €45 respectively. The gardaí also found a mobile phone belonging to the person who owned the handbag.
Barrister Eamonn O’Moore said that the only matter before the court on Thursday, December 14, was the device and that his client had already pleaded guilty to other matters. ‘I’m not sure of the probative value of these articles.’
The court heard that gardai found a small, white devise in the middle of the road where Cawley was stopped, by the driver’s seat. He said that their mention would be ‘ highly prejudicial’.
A Mr McGarry from the technical department of Garda headquarters said that the device emits a frequency that could interfere with a remote. It could be used for electric gates, a doorbell, the locking mechanism of the car and other items, the court heard.
Mr O’Moore said that there was no case to answer as the state’s expert witness had said that the device could be used for other things.
Cawley said that he thought it was a doorbell. He said that he had five children who might put things in the car.
‘It’s not mine, I’ve never used it,’ he said.
Judge David Kennedy said that he did not accept what Cawley said.
‘He knew very well what it was for and used it for that purpose,’ said the judge.
The court heard that Cawley is a separated man with 12 children, aged four to 27.
He is unemployed and homeless and has been in emergency accommodation since June. He had three previous convictions, all public order on the same occasion.
Judge Kennedy adjourned the matter to February 5 for a community service report, noting that the defendant had no previous convictions for theft or anything like that.