Judge gives Longford man on raft of theft charges warning over bail

David Stafford (46) 70 Ardnacassa, Ballinalee Road, Longford was present in court last week facing half a dozen alleged offences that took place between April and June this year.

Mr Stafford stands charged with the unlawful taking of a vehicle on June 22 at McGlynn Commercials, Townspark Industrial Estate, Longford.

On the same date, the Longford man was also charged with the possession of a knife.

Following that incident, Mr Stafford appeared in court and was granted bail despite garda objections.

Among those bail terms included instructions to reside at his home address, sign on daily at Longford garda station, adhere to a curfew and stay out of Townspark Industrial Estate.

Mr Stafford is also charged with allegedly entering a house in Clonbalt Woods, Longford as a trespasser just two days after the earlier two incidents were alleged to have occurred.

In April, Mr Stafford also allegedly broke five panes of glass from a living room window in a criminal damage incident at 2 Palace Crescent, Longford.

The following day, the accused is also alleged to have been found with a number of stolen tools and of being in possession of a series of burglary tools.

They allegedly included two crowbars, two screwdrivers, a bottle of ammonia and a pair of gloves.

The accused remained silent throughout last Tuesday's brief hearing as it was revealed directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were still awaited.

Judge Bernadette Owens remanded Mr Stafford on continuing bail to a sitting of Longford District Court on October 17 for DPP directions.

In doing so, she told the court gardaí would have libery to 're-enter', meaning that if the accused come's to the attention of gardaí in the interim, Mr Stafford would face being brought back before the courts and face being remanded in custody.