Alleged burglar left his dog behind at Dublin crime scene, court hears
Tom Tuite
An alleged burglar left his Staffordshire bull terrier behind at a crime scene following a break-in, at a house in Dublin, a court has heard.
Michael McDonagh (27), with an address at Emmet Crescent, Inchicore, is charged with theft, burglary, trespassing, criminal damage, and obstructing a garda on March 8 last.
Garda Damian Kelly told Cloverhill District Court that the accused, a father-of-one, was arrested in the early hours following incidents at West Terrace, also in Inchicore, in southwest Dublin.
Objecting to bail, Kelly said that it was the State's case that the accused entered one residential property and removed an electric bicycle and keys.
However, the stolen bicycle was subsequently "disabled" and McDonagh was spotted walking it when he was stopped.
Kelly alleged the accused explained that he had gone out to get cigarettes and that he bought the electric bicycle from a "crackhead".
It was claimed he used a bank card taken from one of the homes to buy items worth €41 at an Applegreen shop on Tyrconnell Road.
CCTV footage allegedly showed him leaving his own house with his dog, but later heading in the direction of Goldenbridge without the pet.
A Staffordshire bull terrier was left behind at one of the houses. Gardaí responding to the report suspected the animal belonged to the accused and brought it to his home, where it was recognised by an occupant, who took the dog in, it was alleged.
Defence solicitor Andrew Molony pointed out that his client was not the height given in a description to gardaí.
The garda also agreed with the solicitor that his client could face two years in custody awaiting trial if bail were denied.
Molony said his client was a father and was involved in his child's life. He stressed that his client had the presumption of innocence and argued that, as burglaries go, this was at the lower end of the scale.
Judge Patricia Cronin held that bail could be granted with conditions, in his own bond of €500 and an independent surety of €2,000, of which €1,000 must be lodged.
She set down conditions, directing that he must have no contact with witnesses and must stay away from the locations of the alleged offences. He has to sign on daily at a Garda station, reside at an alternative address, surrender his passport, and provide gardaí with a contact phone number.
The Director of Public Prosecutions authorised trial on indictment, and a book of evidence was served on the accused in court.
The judge then granted a return for trial order, sending McDonagh forward to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, where the case will be listed for mention on October 22 next. He was remanded in custody until a surety is approved and pays the bail money.
