Kildare woman refused bail for taking her dad’s car
Athy Courthouse
A WOMAN who allegedly stole her father’s car from outside the house they share was refused bail this week (10 September) after Athy District Court heard how her father was frightened of her and that she had a history of missing court dates.
Jasmin Scally (23), Radharc an Caislean, Carlow Road, Naas appeared in Athy District Court from the dock following her arrest in the early hours at the above address.
Garda Conor Fogarty told the court that the State was objecting to bail on account of the fact that she had 19 outstanding bench warrants, and “he’s (the father) afraid of her”.
“Jasmin says her father gave her the key,” said her solicitor David Powderly, but Garda Fogarty countered: “Mr Scally said he hung the spare key in the kitchen and Jasmin took it”.
“Jasmin claims she is a named driver on the car and contributes to insurance payments from her social welfare,” said Mr Powderly.
“She says her father was disappointed she didn’t come home 'til late,” he added, confirming it was 2.45am.
Mr Powderly then noted the absence of her father from the court, telling the garda, “your evidence is complete hearsay."
“He does not want her returning to the house,” said Garda Fogarty.
“He has given a statement,” confirmed Sergeant Dave Hanrahan.
“Are you confident Mr Scally will continue with this?” asked Judge Desmond Zaidan.
“Yes,” said Garda Fogarty.
“And you don’t believe any strict bail conditions would be enough?” asked the judge.
“No,” said the garda.
“He gave me a spare key recently when I got my provisional licence. I probably came back a bit late, but I was screamed at and shouted at, and the guards were called,” said Jasmin.
“I only got my theory test four weeks ago and that’s when he put me on the insurance,” she said.
“Our system says you don’t have a licence and you’re not on the insurance,” said Sgt Hanrahan.
“So why did he make a statement?” he asked the defendant.
“He was pissed off I didn’t come home when he wanted,” she replied.
“Mr Scally has brought multiple charges against Jasmin. He dropped the burglary charge and has never turned up in court for any of the charges,” said Mr Powderly.
“The case against my client is very weak, it’s not like she stole a stranger’s car, or a car from a car park … this case is not strong enough to refuse bail,” he continued.
He conceded his clients had a lot of warrants issued against her, but argued: “A lot of them were difficulty getting to court in Cork, and she hasn’t been charged with not having a licence or driving without insurance.”
“One of the concerns I had was the previous allegations against the daughter eventually being withdrawn by the state,” noted the judge, “and the garda believes that if Jasmin gets bail it would put pressure on her father to drop the charges.”
“I am satisfied with the objections against your client and I will refuse bail,” he said to Mr Powderly, before remanding her into custody to reappear in Naas on 17 September.
