A young Bohermore woman who is accused of taking more than €2,500 of goods on two occassions from a city centre pharmacy as well as being involved in burglary attempt has been granted bail with strict conditions.
Gemma Ridgard (21 ) formerly of 11 St Finbars Terrace, Bohermore, appeared at Galway District Court on Monday charged with entering a house a Hazel Park as a trespasser in circumstances giving rise to the inference that such presence was with intent to cause an offence or to interfere with property, entering the same house as a trespasser and committing theft, and when not at place of residence being in possession of two screwdrivers with intent for them to be used in a burglary on October 7, 2012.
Ridgard is also charged with theft of eight items of cosmetics/perfume to the value of €452.50 on September 18, 2012, and 30 items of cosmetics/perfumes, valued at €2,193.90, on September 26, 2012, at University Pharmacy, Newcastle Road. There was also a further charge for theft of a steam mop, to the value of €99.99, at Woodies DIY, Galway, on September 27, 2012.
The court heard that Ridgard had been brought before a special sitting on Sunday last where there had been an objection to bail. Defence solicitor Valerie Corcoran said that a new address has been proposed and that there is a place at Osterley Lodge in Salthill which demands that residents stick to the curfew of 9pm. It was on this basis that Ms Corcoran made a further application for bail.
Noting that the State has no objection to this Judge Mary Fahy remanded Ridgard on her own bail of €500 to appear at Galway District Court on December 3 next for DPP directions. The conditions of bail included that Ridgard sign on daily at Salthill Garda Station in a sober state between 9am and 7pm, reside at Osterley Lodge in Salthill, not interfere or have no contact with any witnesses in any manner, stay away from the house at Hazel Park, stay away from all premises listed in the charge sheets, stay away from the co-accused, abide by a curfew of 9pm to 8am, remain in a sober state, not to come to Garda notice, and be of good behaviour.
The co-accused, John Mongan (28 ) of 24 Gaelcarraig Park, Newcastle, also appeared before Judge Fahy charged with entering a building at Hazel Park, Newcastle, as a tresspasser to commit attempted theft of electrical items, jewellery, and clothing on October 7, 2012. The court heard that in reply to the charge Mongan said: “I was out of my head.”
Judge Fahy remanded Mongan on continuing bail to appear at Galway District Court on December 3 for DPP directions with the conditions that he have no contact with witnesses, stay away from the house at Hazel Park, stay away from the co-accused, abide by the curfew of 10pm and 8am, and sign on at Galway Garda Station three times a week.
