Longford solicitor describes State's stance over man's bail attempts as ‘a bit rich’

Bríd Mimnagh made the comments while acting for her client Andrius Parfionovas (39), 34 Oldbridge Park, Griffeen Valley, Lucan, Dublin at last week's sitting of Longford District Court.

The Lithuanian national has been in custody since his arrest on November 8 last year after being charged by gardaí  with ten counts of handling and possession of stolen property at various commercial and residential properties in Granard, Co Longford and Dublin.

They included 14 outboard Yamaha engines, 14 Hummingbird fish finders, four marine radios, 4 propellers, 8 GPS systems, two wave boards, and £3,115 in cash, amounting to a total of £48,000.Those items, the court heard, had been allegedly stolen from a house in Omagh, Co Tyrone barely 12 hours before the accused was arrested by gardaí at a property he had been renting in Granard, Co Longford.

Mr Parfionovas was further charged with handling a stolen Renault Master Van valued at  €20,000 which had been fitted with false plates after it had also been allegedly stolen from a property at Edenderry, Co Offaly on July 25.

The accused was further charged with handling a string of alleged stolen car components, among which included parts belonging to a BMW M5 181 registered car valued at €90,000 after it too was allegedly stolen in Navan, Co Meath on July 5.

He initially came before a special sitting of Longford District Court five days later where it was alleged the Lithuanian national was part of a "highly sophisticated" international organised crime group .Gardaí also seized €65,000 in a bank account Mr Parfionovas shared with his partner as part of the investigation.

It was further revealed that during a search of unit at Citwest, Dublin 24, garda uniforms, metro flashing blue lights used by gardaí in the course of their duties and GPS signal blockers were also found.Car parts belonging to a stolen 172 registered VW Touraeg valued at €40,000 were found at Mr Parfionovas family home in Lucan.

That particular vehicle, it was revealed had been stolen from a business premises in Ballymount, Dublin on June 29.

When gardaí carried out a search of a commercial premises in Edgeworthstown, they found a number of work stations which were suspected of being used for the purposes of an organised "chopshop" operation. 

He was denied bail and later made an application for High Court bail just before Christmas, in an application, which was also denied.

At last week's sitting of Longford District Court, Sgt Enda Daly said the State would be seeking a further remand in custody, saying directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) was still awaited.

“It was a very large investigation involving multiple jurisdictions and further enquiries that may have to be put to the defendant,” he said.

In reply, Ms Mimnagh said Mr Parfionovas was open to that request on the proviso due diligence is given to expediting the case as quickly as possible.

“This man is entitled to the law being applied to him in the same way as everyone else,” she said.

“He was arrested on November 8 and will soon be two months in custody.”

Sgt Daly said the fact Mr Parfionovas was denied bail and then applied for High Court bail but was deemed unsuitable by the court illustrated just how the accused had exhausted every conceivable judicial avenue open to him.

“He has been afforded every opportunity to obtain bail and the High Court has decided he (Mr Parfionovas) is not suitable for bail,” he said.

In her response, Ms Mimnagh said those comments were “a bit rich” in view of how a Chief Superintendent had also given evidence at the same High Court sitting in an attempt to strengthen the State's case in objecting to bail being granted.

In consenting to a two week additional remand in custody, Mr Parfionovas' case was adjourned to January 17 when the 39-year-old is expected to appear via video link.