Wexford man accused of burglary and assaulting garda denied bail
Wexford PeopleA Wexford man has been refused bail after appearing before Gorey District Court on charges including burglary, possession of articles, and assaulting a garda following a pursuit while driving a stolen vehicle.
Detective Garda Stephen Burke informed the court that in the early hours of July 05, 2026, a stolen car was observed near Whiterock Hill with two men in the front seats who had their faces covered.
When gardaí attempted to stop the vehicle, it sped off towards Wexford Town, prompting a pursuit lasting approximately 15 minutes. The chase ended when the vehicle clipped a kerb and came to a stop.
The two occupants fled on foot and were pursued by gardaí. The court heard that the passenger, Kieran Casserly (47), of 60 Wolfe Tone Villas, Wexford, resisted arrest and kicked out at members of An Garda Síochána after being apprehended with pepper spray being used.
A search of the vehicle was conducted where various articles, including a hatchet and screwdriver, were discovered in the centre console.
Det Gda Burke also outlined two separate burglary investigations in which he had attended homes in Wexford where items including a cooker and a lawnmower had been stolen. The court heard that property taken during those burglaries was later recovered during searches of the vehicle, while additional stolen items were allegedly recovered from the home of the accused.
Gardaí opposed bail, citing the strength of the evidence against the accused and the risk that he might abscond after allegedly attempting to flee the scene.
Casserly was sworn in and stated that when the car crashed he panicked and the driver of the vehicle told him to run which he did.
Det Gda Burke highlighted that the hatchet was discovered in the vehicle at 4am giving the gardaí belief that the pair had set out to commit a crime. The accused responded the partner of the driver was going camping and her son had put the equipment in the centre console rather than the boot.
Refusing bail, Judge John Cheatle said the accused had effectively been “caught red-handed”, noting the alleged discovery of weapons and stolen property following the subsequent searches.
The case was adjourned to July 28 before Wexford District Court with Casserly due to appear by video link.