Three appear in court in connection with Roscommon burglaries

Three males appeared before a special sitting of Roscommon District Court this evening, Saturday, charged in connection with a series of burglaries in County Roscommon and several other counties.

Joseph Cahill (42), Drumlea Avenue, Jobstown and Eugene Traynor (46), Adamstown, Dublin, along with a 17-year-old juvenile from the Greater Dublin area, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared before Judge James Faughnan.

All three are facing charges of burglary in County Roscommon and several other counties.

Among the charges include their alleged involvement in four break-ins on August 13th at the following premises: Frenchpark Post Office; O’Connors pub and restaurant, Tulsk; BS Exhausts, Tulsk; McSharry's, Fourmilehouse; Daybreak in Knockoghery, and a house in Donamon.

Giving evidence, Detective Garda Chris Murray said that he arrested Cahill yesterday morning, Friday, in Tallaght and took him to Castlerea Garda Station where he was charged in connection with the burglaries.

His solicitor Con Harlow told Judge Faughnan that there was no application for bail for his client. Pointing out that Cahill had a very significant drug problem, Mr Harlow said his client was receiving daily methadone intakes and needed certainty that would continue.

Judge Faughnan directed that Cahill receive the appropriate medical attention, and remanded him in custody to appear at Harristown District Court via video link on October 8th.

Sergeant Mark Mahon said that there was also no application for bail being made for Eugene Traynor. Judge Faughnan also remanded Traynor in custody to appear at Harristown District Court on October 8th via video link.

The Judge acceded to a request from his solicitor, Ivan Moran, that his client also receive medical attention and treatment.

Giving evidence at a hearing of the Children’s Court this evening in Roscommon, Sergeant Laura Martin said that this morning, Saturday she arrested the juvenile.

Mr Moran, also representing the juvenile, said there was a difficulty in relation to his client in that he did not want to take up bail despite the State consenting to it. “He is in a very up and down period of his life,” said Mr Moran.

When Sergeant Mahon pointed out to the court that there was no bed available for the juvenile, Judge Faughnan said it was “shocking and shameful” that this was the case when youngsters were arrested at the weekend. He said if Oberstown was not big enough, then they “should make it bigger”.

The juvenile was subsequently granted bail on his own bail bond of €1,000, and he left the court with his mother. He is due to appear again at Roscommon District Court on October 1st.

The juvenile was also ordered to comply with a series of conditions, including staying out of counties Roscommon, Cavan, Westmeath and Offaly save for court appearances; have no contact with the co-accused or anyone involved in criminality; refrain from controlled drugs and alcohol; reside at a particular address; remain answerable at all times to Gardaí, including having a mobile phone with sufficient credit; sign on at a garda station for a set number of days a week, and observe a strict curfew.