Gardaí object to bail for Laois man who allegedly stole €2.50 ice cream cone
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A MAN who allegedly stole a €2.50 ice cream cone was brought before last week’s sitting of Portlaoise District Court, where gardaí objected to bail being granted to him.
At the outset of the case, Judge Andrew Cody enquired of the arresting gardaí whether a solicitor had been contacted to assist the defendant in the case, to which the garda said that attempts had been made to contact several solicitors without success.
Before the court was Kevin Moylan with addresses at Hillview Drive and Oakleaf Place, both in Knockmay housing estate, Portlaoise.
He is charged with burglary and with the theft of a €2.50 ice cream cone from Pizza Max, Main Street, Portlaoise on 8 July. He was also charged with the unauthorised interference of two vehicles parked on Church Street, Portlaoise and with the theft of a €150 mobile phone from one vehicle and the theft of a €100 mobile phone from the other on 9 July.
On hearing that Mr Moylan was not legally represented, Judge Cody said he could represent himself in the bail hearing. He could hire his own solicitor privately or be remanded in custody to a later date when a solicitor would be available under the free legal aid scheme to represent him.
Mr Moylan said that he would be unable to raise the necessary funds to pay for his own solicitor.
Asked to outline the alleged offences, the prosecuting garda said that on 8 July at about 9.30pm, Mr Moylan allegedly went into the Pizza Max fast food shop, went upstairs and took an ice cream cone valued at €2.
He said the next morning at about 1am, Mr Moylan allegedly interfered with two cars and allegedly stole phones from them.
Judge Cody asked the prosecuting garda: “He allegedly took an ice cream cone costing €2 in 30-degree temperature. Is that the basis for your objection to bail,” to which the garda replied: “We believe that if released on bail he would commit further offences.” Taking the stand, Mr Moylan, in his defence, said: “I was compliant with the guards and didn’t cause them any hassle. I just lost control of myself and took too many tablets. I’m currently trying to get into rehab with the help of my sponsor. I just want to go back on the right track.”
Asked if he had anything to say on the matter by Judge Cody, the court presenter Garda Sgt Kirby said: “The public have to be protected, but I know him from being in the gym. He’s a nice guy, a decent fellow. But he fell into bad company and fell into addiction.” J
udge Cody said he was granting bail with the following conditions â that he resides at the Oakleaf Place address, he obeys a strict nightly curfew from 8pm to 8am, he remains of sober habits, he attends Portlaoise Garda Station each day, he provides gardaí with his telephone number and is available to take their calls 24 hours a day.
The judge went on to remand Mr Moylan on continuing bail to the 13 July sitting of the court.
