A 27-year old Ennis man has appeared in court where he is accused of producing a gun and a crow-bar during an an alleged robbery at a shop in Ennis last week.
At Ennis District Court, Dan Casey O’Connell from Bruach na hAbhainn, Ennis appeared charged with the robbery of €200 from Barry Lynch’s Centra on Ennis’s Gort Rd on April 19th last.
Det Garda Damien O’Connor told the court that he charged Mr Casey O’Connell at Shannon Garda Station on Tuesday night and Mr Casey O’Connell made ’no reply’ when charged and cautioned.
In court, Judge Sandra Murphy remanded Mr Casey O’Connell in custody with consent to bail in spite of Garda objections to Mr Casey O’Connell securing bail.
Solicitor for Mr Casey O’Connell, John Casey told the court that his client has no previous convictions and was willing to reside at an address near Ballina, Co Mayo with his father while on bail.
The alleged robbery of the Centra store took place at 1am on April 19th last.
Sgt Aiden Lonergan told the court that the alleged production of a gun and crowbar during the incident “underscores the seriousness of the alleged offence”.
Det O’Connor stated that Gardai have been making efforts to retrieve a gun from a river.
Det O’Connor stated that the Gardai also have CTTV footage of the incident.
The detective stated that Mr Casey O’Connell is a heroin addict and agreed with
solicitor for Mr Casey O’Connell, John Casey that the accused “was not on the radar for committing any offences around Ennis”.
Det O’Connor agreed with Mr Casey that his client has been very courteous and has fully co-operated with the Gardai.
Det O’Connor stated that Mr Casey O’Connell’s mother and brother recently died.
Det O’Connor also agreed with Mr Casey that Mr Casey O’Connell would not be likely to interfere with witnesses in the case.
Mr Casey told Judge Murphy that “it is a short, sharp shock” for Mr Casey O’Connell to find himself in court.
Mr Casey stated that as the case is likely to go to the circuit court, the trial may not be heard for quite a long time and that would mean Mr Casey O’Connell staying in custody for a long period of time before trial.
Mr Casey stated that his client is anxious to get drug treatment.
Judge Murphy stated that what is alleged “is very, very serious”. Judge Murphy remanded Mr Casey O’Connell in custody with consent to bail.
Judge Murphy stated that bail conditions would meet Gardai concerns.
This included Mr Casey O’Connell signing on daily at a local Garda station, an independent surety of €1,000, reside at an address to be approved by Gardai, observe a 10pm to 8am curfew and stay away from Lynch’s Centra.
Judge Murphy remanded Mr Casey O’Connell to appear at Ennis District Court to next Wednesday.
