Alleged car thief given bail under strict conditions
Photo for illustrative purposes only
A MAN charged with stealing car keys from a hotel leisure centre, activating the remote to locate the car in the car park and then stealing it was granted bail despite garda objections – although to achieve this, he will require finding an independent surety of €2,000.
Mark Brady (32), with a current address at Times Hostel, Camden Court, Dublin 2, was appearing in Naas District Court last week from custody, where he had been since his arrest in relation to the alleged car theft, facing a total of eight charges, mainly unauthorised taking, from Naas, Dun Laoghaire, and Howth.
“This should’ve been sent to Dun Laoghaire – or the CCJ [Criminal Courts of Justice],” began Judge Catherine Hayden as she saw the Dublin sheets first.
“I don’t believe I have jurisdiction,” she added, until Inspector Dave Hanrahan pointed out the Naas charges and told her: “There is a section 2 bail objection”. Because this means there will be things told to the judge before formal trial that cannot be reported on at this stage, the inspector then cleared the court.
Garda Sean Lonergan began by telling the judge that he and a colleague were called to a report of a break-in at the Osprey Hotel on John Devoy Road on 5 August, and the theft of a car between 5.25pm and 6pm.
“Keys were stolen from a gear bag in the hotel leisure club, and the car was subsequently taken from the car park,” explained Gda Lonergan. “The defendant was allegedly seen on CCTV leaving the leisure club at 5.30pm.
“Gardaí then used the car’s tracker app and saw the car had stopped at the CityWest Hotel [15km up the M7, towards Dublin]. He was arrested at CityWest Hotel wearing the same clothes he was seen in leaving the leisure club”.
Garda Lonergan then told the judge a number of things that cannot be reported at this time.
“I wasn’t caught red-handed,” Mr Brady stated from the dock.
“Gardaí tracked the car, and he was arrested ten minutes later in the same clothes,” repeated Gda Lonergan.
Judge Hayden said: “I am conscious that Mr Brady doesn’t have legal representation here today, and it is unfortunate there is no solicitor here today to inform you. I am taking into consideration the time since you last saw a solicitor, and so I will grant you bail,” added the judge.
She then set Mr Brady’s own bond at €500, and required that he also front up an independent surety of €2,000, half of which had to be lodged in cash.
“Do you want conditions?” she asked the inspector, who confirmed that he did.
He started with a 10pm-6am curfew, that the defendant must stay out of Naas and must also “clarify his address”. These appeared to pose a problem for the defendant.
“What is it?” asked the judge.
“I’m going to be living with my mother and sister, but they live it Naas,” he replied.
“That could be a problem,” Judge Hayden said drily.
“The whole town?” asked the defendant. “I’ve two children in the town,” he pleaded.
“In that case, we’ll waive that condition,” said the inspector generously.
“Stay away from the Osprey Hotel, provide a phone number, and sign on at Naas Garda Station twice a week,” continued the inspector.
The judge then remanded Mr Brady back into custody for 14 days (until 27 August) “with consent to bail”, to allow him time to raise the cash.
