Laois man charged with burglary of local shop
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A MAN was released on bail when he appeared at Portlaoise District Court last week after being charged with burglary from a local shop.
Before the court was Andrew Conroy (55), Apartment 3, Hynd’s Square, Portlaoise.
He was charged with the burglary of Bosco’s, Mountrath Road, Portlaoise on 9 August.
Det Garda Trevor Darcy said gardaí were objecting to a request by Mr Conroy for bail.
Det Darcy alleged that at 4.35am on 9 August, a man witnessed glass from the front of Bosco’s shop window strewn on the footpath. He also alleged that the man saw a man coming out from the front window carrying a cash till under his arm and another man standing by.
He said it was learned later that a sum of €2,100 had been taken in the alleged burglary.
Det Darcy said that 14 minutes before the alleged offence, two men were captured on CCTV coverage in the town, one being the alleged defendant, wearing the same clothes described by the witness, who allegedly saw the man coming from the broken shop window.
The garda detective said that when Mr Conry’s apartment was searched, €780 was found concealed in a sock, which he claimed the defendant could not account for. He said a later search uncovered clothing and footwear that matched what he said the alleged burglar had been seen wearing that night on CCTV.
Det Darcy said that gardaí were waiting directions from the director of public prosecutions on how to proceed with the case.
Mr Conroy’s solicitor, Chris Mills, said that all people coming before the courts have a presumption of innocence and to deprive somebody of their liberty is a breach of a constitutional protection. He said that his client has not yet obtained discovery (evidence of the alleged offence from gardaí).
“He’s a prolific burglar,” alleged Garda Sgt JJ Kirby.
Judge William Aylmer said that, indeed, everyone has the presumption of innocence and that “there’s no such thing as preventative custody. We don’t lock people up to prevent them from carrying out further offences.” He went on to remand Mr Conroy on his own bail of €600 to the 28 August sitting of the court and granted bail on condition that he reside at 3 Hind’s Square, Portlaoise, signs on daily at the local garda station from 9am to 9pm, engages with the addiction services, remains sober at all times and adheres to a strict house curfew from 11pm to 6am.
