A Galway man who is accused of causing criminal damage to a number of banks in the city during the course of two days has been sent forward for trial.
John Mason (35 ) with an address at 46 The Meadows, Ballybrit, Galway, appeared at the holiday session of Galway District Court on Tuesday where he was served with the book of evidence in relation to five charges.
Mason is charged with three counts of criminal damage on March 17, 2012, involving three panes of glass at Ulster Bank, Tuam Road, 13 windows at Bank of Ireland, Mervue Industrial Estate, and eight windows and two doors at Ulster Bank, Briarhill Shopping Centre. Mason is also accused of allegedly committing two further counts of criminal damage on March 18 which involves nine panes of glass at AIB, Tuam Road, and four panes of glass at Anglo Irish Bank, Foster Street.
Inspector Brendan Carroll told the court that the Director of Public Prosecution has consented to the accused being sent forward for trial to the next sittings of the Galway Circuit Criminal Court commencing October 4 next. He added that there was no objection to Mason being further remanded on continuing bail with the same conditions.
Judge Alan Mitchell ordered that Mason be returned for trial on continuing bail with the conditions that he surrender his passport and not apply for further travel documentation, that he sign on at his local Garda station two days a week and that he stay away from the banks mentioned in the charges. Legal aid was also granted plus one junior counsel.
