Kildare man in wheelchair allegedly steals car from hospital

A KILDARE man with a broken leg, who stole a car whilst in a wheelchair, was remanded in custody for a fortnight after a garda objection to his bail was upheld.

Edward Stokes (42), with an address at Lerr Avenue, Abbeylands, Castledermot appeared in Naas District Court last week (19 February) from Garda custody following his arrest the day before.

Garda David Murphy from Naas Garda Station was giving evidence of arrest charge and caution.

He testified how Mr Stokes reply to the charge of unauthorized taking of an MPV was: “sorry”, but that the gardaí would oppose him getting bail because of fears of his not showing up for court.

Garda Murphy told the court how Mr Stokes was arrested at an address in Saggart, Co Dublin the day before court after tracking the stolen car there, following the information given by the rightful owner.

‘Couldn’t make it up’

He explained how the car was stolen from Naas General Hospital underground car park after the defendant allegedly took the keys from a jacket pocket in a staffroom, before going down in the lift, and pressing a button on the fob until one car lit up.

All of this was done, allegedly, from a wheelchair which he had been given upstairs following his treatment for a broken leg.

“We checked the CCTV and saw him check the cars before he finally opened one,” said Garda Murphy.

“The wheelchair was found where the car used to be.

“We saw him on the CCTV in the wheelchair, going around the hospital,” he added.

“You couldn’t make this up,” said Judge Zaidan.

“Was it a manual, or an automatic?” asked the judge.

“Automatic. It was an electric Cupra,” said Garda Murphy.

“The injured party (a radiologist) gave us the tracking info, and we detected the car in Saggart where we made the arrest,” he clarified.

Garda Murphy also testified that they found Mr Stokes was found in possession of a mobile phone not his own, that didn’t belong to the owner of the stolen car, but to another staff member at the hospital.

In cross-examination with the garda, defending solicitor Tim Kennelly confirmed that early admissions were made and though theft and unauthorised taking of an MPV had maximum penalties of five and 10 years respectively: “You get an automatic discount if someone makes an early admission.” “That’s up to the DPP,” interrupted Sergeant Dave Hanrahan.

“That’s not for the sergeant to jump in, he’s not in the witness box giving evidence. This isn’t the schoolyard,” said Mr Kennelly.

‘Well founded objections’

After legal argument about the defendant’s circumstances, Sgt Hanrahan added a further charge was being considered.

“The keys were taken from a staffroom so there could be a further charge of burglary brought?” prompted the sergeant.

“Yes, Judge,” said Garda Murphy.

Mr Kennelly added: “The very maximum he could get in this court is 24 months.” “Or a suspended sentence!” said Judge Zaidan “Not in this court!” remarked Mr Kennelly, knowing Judge Zaidan’s antipathy to suspended sentences.

“I suspect Mr Stokes was in hospital getting treatment, and then embarked on the unthinkable, went to the staffroom, took the keys, made his way to the car park, tried every car until the fob flashed one, and all this while in a wheelchair!” summed up the judge.

“This man was desperate to get going!

“I find garda objections to bail sustainable and well-founded.

“Your client doesn’t look good. How old is he?” asked the judge.

The court was told Mr Stokes admitted to Garda Murphy he was a drug addict, and had no recollection of the theft.

“42,” said Mr Kennelly.

“He looks a lot older than that,” said the judge, before remanding Mr Stokes into custody to re-appear by videolink on 26 February for his book of evidence.

Mr Kennelly then made the suggestion that his client was willing to make a guilty plea, if the case was kept in the district court, and the judge told the sergeant: “Let the DPP know that”.

“If this man needs any medical attention whilst in custody, don’t bring him to Naas General Hospital,” said the judge.