Teenager facing burglary charges remanded in detention

A juvenile male facing burglary charges was remanded in detention at today’s sitting of Roscommon District Court, after he failed to comply with some of his bail conditions.

The teenager, who cannot be named due to his age, was arrested at the weekend as part of an investigation into a spate of burglaries in County Roscommon and several other counties.

On Saturday, the juvenile, who is 17 years old and from the Greater Dublin area, appeared in court with two other accused in relation to the offences. On that date, the court heard that the teenager did not want to take up his bail, despite the state granting it. It also emerged that there was no bed in the Oberstown Children Detention Campus for the accused, a situation which Judge James Faughnan criticised.

Today, the teenager and his mother appeared again at a sitting of the Children’s Court to answer his bail.

Garda Sgt Mark Mahon informed Judge Faughnan that the accused had not provided a mobile phone number he could be contacted on within 24 hours as per his bail conditions.

“He needs to comply with his bail conditions,” the judge said, saying he would be remanded in detention otherwise.

The accused, who was represented by solicitor Ivan Moran, indicated that he was not willing to give a number.

Judge Faughnan remanded the accused in detention to Oberstown, to appear before him in Loughrea tomorrow in case there was no bed available at the facility “He has consent to bail but he won’t take it up,” said the judge. He again commented on the lack of beds at Oberstown, saying if more space was required, it should be found.

The judge also directed that the juvenile receive any psychological care he required while in detention.