A 24-year-old man and his juvenile accomplice were charged this week in connection with the theft of a car which led to a dangerous joyride incident.
Richard McDonagh of 19 Sliabh Rua, Ballybane and a 16-year-old co-accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were brought in handcuffs into Galway District Court on Monday as proceedings were concluding.
McDonagh was charged with three counts of dangerous driving at Fairfield, Kilrickle, and Moyleen in the townland of Loughrea and with drink driving, driving without insurance or a driving licence, driving while disqualified, as well as the unlawful use of a car at Glasan Student Village, Ballybane, criminal damange of the car’s ignition, and receiving petrol to the value of €50 at Monahans Garage, Tuam Road, and leaving without making payment on the spot on February 13, 2012. The co-accused was charged with criminal damage of the car ignition at Glasan Student Village, unlawful use of the car, and making off without paying for petrol at Monahans Garage.
The court heard that McDonagh had been arrested at Fairfield and that after charge and caution he replied “no comment” to most of the charges. Defence solicitor Alma Whelan then made an application for bail to which Judge Mary Fahy noted that the acccused was too intoxicated to sign a bail bond and to abide by its conditions. Sgt Seamus O’Regan also outlined the Garda objections to bail which were based on McDonagh’s previous failure to turn up to court. Judge Fahy refused bail adding that it was now a matter for the High Court. McDonagh was remanded in custody to appear at Harristown District Court tomorrow, February 17. Legal aid was granted.
The court had also heard how the juvinile had also been arrested earlier that day at Fairfield, Loughrea, and that after charge and caution he replied “I didn’t do anything” in relation to one charge, “not guilty” to a second, and “maybe I filled up” to another.
Inspector Sean Glynn made an application for this accused to be remanded in custody. Defence solicitor Olivia Traynor made an application for bail to which there was Garda objection. Sgt O’Regan told the court that the objection was due to the seriousness of the matter and the possibility of further charges being brought. However, Judge Fahy remanded the youth on his own bail of €300 with independent surety of €600 to Galway Juvenile Court today, February 16. Conditions of bail was for him to be of good behaviour, stay away from and have no contact with the co-accused, sign on at Galway Garda Station three times a week, abide by a curfew of between 9.30pm and 8.30am, stay away from Glasan Student Village, and reside in the family home.
