Kildare man who allegedly fled without paying after getting taxi from Cork appears in court

MAN who took a €550 taxi ride from Cork to Kildare Town station and then did a runner will learn his fate on this in the new year after it was discovered his defence did not have “full disclosure” from the state.

Rees Murphy (23) of Pluckerstown, Kilmeague, Allenwood appeared in Naas District Court recently by videolink form detention where he is on remand for an undisclosed offence for which he must stand trial at the next sittings of Naas Circuit Court.

Judge Desmond Zaidan noted that Murphy was listed “for election” (ie. to plead guilty, or not guilty), but his barrister Donncha Craddock told the judge that he was “seeking disclosure … and he is not in custody on this charge”.

‘Don’t Say Anything Else’

After Sergeant Dave Hanrahan outlined the fraud charge, Mr Murphy piped up on the screen saying in his defence. “As soon as I was arrested (on 25 January) I handed over €300”.

“Don’t say anything else, and wait until you talk with your solicitor,” advised Mr Craddock.

However, Judge Zaidan was a tad more forgiving, saying: “to be fair to this young man, what he is saying may help his case”.

The judge was then about to adjourn this until next September until Mr Murphy advised the court that “I’m due up in Naas Circuit Court on 17 January on another charge”.

Mr Murphy said he would like to have this dealt with before then, so the judge obliged.

Judge Zaidan remanded him on continuing bail on the fraud charge until 14 January to help him tidy his affairs.