Alleged burglar attempted to steal family car at Kildare home
photo for illustrative purposes
A MAN who allegedly broke into a Naas house and woke the owner in his bedroom after 4am, then tried to steal the family car before giving gardaí his brother’s name when arrested, was refused bail in Athy to appear again at the Criminal Courts of Justice on 30 September.
Paul Mahon (40) with an address at Carna Road, Ballyfermot appeared in Athy District Court last week (24 September) from custody, having been arrested in Naas in the early hours of the previous night. He was formally charged for now with just trespass and interfering with a car at Windsor Lodge, Naas on 23 September.
Garda Seán Somers told the court that on account of the seriousness of the charges, the state would be opposing bail.
“Mr Mahon is alleged to have broken into a strange house, the owner woke to find this man in his room at 4.10am and left the house with the car keys,” said Garda Somers.
“He attempted to take the car but failed, and when the owner got the car keys back and went back into the house, he found all the bedrooms ransacked,” he said.
“If his daughter had been there, he’d have gone in her room,” said Garda Somers.
Garda Somers and colleagues were on the scene within ten minutes and an arrest was quickly made.
“There may be further charges down the line,” warned Sergeant Dave Hanrahan.
Garda Somers then told the judge how Mr Mahon allegedly gained access to the home.
“He allegedly used a claw hammer and a screwdriver to open a small window from the top,” he said.
Garda Somers then explained that when Mr Mahon was apprehended, he allegedly gave his brother David’s name, and when this was put in the system, a notification of a warrant pinged on the Garda Pulse system from Blanchardstown Garda Station, and this was how proper identification was established.
Garda Somers told the court “there seems to be a history of drug addiction”, but agreed with defending barrister Donnacha Craddock that “he didn’t brandish a weapon … and left when asked”.
Seeking bail, Mr Craddock said his client has a “close relationship with his children … has significant ties to the jurisdiction … no serious offences in his history”, but Judge Zaidan was not buying it.
“He was originally charged as David, that's attempting to pervert the course of justice. Thankfully there was no physical violence, but there was psychological and emotional violence, so I will refuse the application for bail,” he added.
