Wexford man man accused of string of burglaries is refused bail
Wexford PeopleA Wexford man charged in connection with a number of burglaries was denied bail at a recent sitting of Gorey District Court.
John Connors (37), with addresses at 133 The Faythe, Wexford, and Rosemount, Drinagh, appeared before the court in connection with a number of alleged burglaries at hotels and a home in Wexford.
The court heard that gardaí were first alerted to an incident at the Ashdown Park Hotel in Gorey on May 6 after a night porter became suspicious of Connors walking through the third floor of the hotel carrying a plastic bag.
The employee believed the man was not a resident and stopped him to question him. It was then discovered that entry had allegedly been gained to the hotel’s accommodation office and a safe valued at €250 had been taken.
While gardaí were at the hotel, another guest approached officers and reported waking to find Connors standing at the bottom of his bed. No property was taken from that room.
Further burglary charges before the court related to incidents on April 11 and April 12 at the Ferrycarrig Hotel in Wexford, where two unlocked rooms were allegedly entered. A set of Honda car keys was taken from one room, while Volkswagen car keys were stolen from another.
The court also heard details of a burglary at Cedar House in Rosslare Strand on April 13, during which a large quantity of household items was allegedly stolen. The property stolen included a coffee machine, grill, Wi-Fi box, lamps, blankets, clothing, a medicine box and a plastic container holding family photographs belonging to the homeowner.
A shed on the property was also broken into, with tools worth approximately €1,350 allegedly taken.
Connors was later discovered asleep inside a van, the court heard. Gardaí seized the vehicle and a subsequent search uncovered all of the property allegedly stolen from Cedar House, along with the car keys reported missing from the Ferrycarrig Hotel.
The court heard that a CCTV hard drive taken during the Cedar House burglary was also found inside the van. Gardaí said Connors was identifiable on the footage recovered from the property, while CCTV from Ferrycarrig Hotel also showed him clearly.
Gardaí objected to bail on the basis of the strength of the evidence in relation to the offences.
Defence counsel Nicholas Revilles BL, instructed by solicitor Tim Cummings, said Connors had recently suffered the loss of his daughter and was going through an extremely difficult period.
Counsel told the court that Connors also has matters listed before Wexford District Court on May 12, where “a certain course will be taken” that would likely result in a custodial sentence.
Mr Revilles said the accused was seeking bail to allow him put affairs in order for his children over the coming days.
Judge John Cheatle said he sympathised with the personal circumstances outlined to the court, but refused bail.
The judge also remarked that granting bail could potentially “blow up in my face” should the accused change his current position regarding the charges.
The matter was adjourned to May 12 at Wexford District Court for directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions.