This article is from page 27 of the 2014-04-29 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 27 JPG
A LIMERICK man has appeared in court in Ennis charged with 32 offences relating to the alleged theft of car parts across four counties in the West and South.
The alleged thefts relate to the taking of catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters mainly from highpowered vehicles in Clare, Galway, Limerick and Kerry between January 24 and February 22, 2014.
It is alleged that criminal damage was caused to the vehicles when the parts were removed.
Darren O’Driscoll (20), with an address at Monaclino Halting Site, Ballysimon Road, Limerick, appeared before Ennis District Court on Wednesday.
He is charged with stealing of cata- lytic converters and causing criminal damage to cars at the Radisson Hotel, Ennis Road, Limerick; Dromoland Castle Newmarket on Fergus; Bunratty Castle; on dates between January 24 and January 26.
He is further charged with theft of catalytic converters and criminal damage at Kenna Metal Eastpark, Shannon; Modular Automation Shannon – the location of four alleged offences: Ennis Golf Club; Dunnes Stores, Ennis; Dromoland Castle and West County Hotel, Ennis on dates between February 4 and February 9.
Mr O’Driscoll is facing six charges arising from the alleged theft of catalytic converters and criminal damage to three vehicles in the car park of Galway Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), Ballybane, Galway, on dates between February 19 and February 20.
New charges relating to alleged thefts from vehicles in Kerry were brought against Mr O’Driscoll on Wednesday.
Detective Garda Emma Mullane of Tralee Garda Station gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution.
She said Mr O’Driscoll made no reply to any of the charges after caution.
Mr O’Driscoll is charged with stealing catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters from vehicles in Farranfore Railway Station; Manor West Retail Park, Tralee, and thefts from two cars at Ballygarry House Hotel, Tralee, on dates between February 18 and 22.
Inspector Tom Kennedy said the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had directed summary disposal of the charges in the District Court. He outlined a summary of the alleged facts to allow Judge William Early to consider jurisdiction.
Insp Kennedy said it would be alleged Mr O’Driscoll used a battery powered saw to cut the catalytic converters from underneath the car.
Insp Kennedy said the purpose of the alleged thefts was to gain access to a valuable metal found in the converters and diesel filters.
Judge Early initially accepted jurisdiction but later changed his mind and refused it in all cases. He said he was doing so because of the cost of the damage to the car owners and the number of alleged thefts.
Judge Early adjourned the case to June and requested the DPP provide clarity on which jurisdiction the cases will be heard in.
Mr O’Driscoll was remanded on continuing bail.