Man accused of stealing tools from commercial van is refused bail
A man who is accused of breaking into a commercial van parked at a Dublin apartment complex and stealing tools and mobile phones has been refused bail.
Aaron Finn (28), of MacUilliam Lane, Tallaght, Dublin 24 appeared before the District Court charged with 12 offences related to the incident, which occurred around 10pm on Sunday night, June 8.
Garda Evan O’Brien told Tallaght District Court that he was called to the apartment complex following reports of a break-in. CCTV footage showed a man, alleged to be Mr Finn, entering the underground carpark of the building where his partner lives.
It is alleged that Mr Finn smashed a window of a Scania commercial van and stole three mobile phones, a black sledgehammer, an air pump, a valve and several bags of tools. He was arrested at the complex a short time later.
Mr Finn faces 10 counts of the possession of stolen property under Section 18 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, one count of criminal damage, and one count of handling stolen property.
Garda O’Brien objected to bail under both the O’Callaghan principles and Section 2 of the Bail Act 1997, citing the seriousness of the alleged offences, the strength of the evidence – including CCTV footage – and the alleged use of a wrench to gain entry.
Defence counsel, Ciara Ní Ghabhann BL, said her client was in a difficult personal situation. His partner was extremely anxious about the impact of his detention, counsel said, and Mr Finn was willing to abide by strict bail conditions including a curfew and daily Garda station sign-ons.
Judge John O’Leary said that while the accused had a prima facie right to bail and the presumption of innocence, there were no conditions that would sufficiently mitigate the risk of reoffending.
Mr Finn was remanded in custody to appear via video link at Cloverhill District Court on Friday, June 13, for DPP directions.
Legal aid was granted.
Funded by the Courts Reporting Scheme
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