Longford man on theft charges remanded in custody

Thirty-one-year-old Charles Reilly, 8 River Court, Great Water Street, Longford, appeared via video link at last week's sitting of Longford District Court charged with three alleged offences in Longford town on September 26 last.

They included the alleged theft of €203 from the Longford Arms Hotel followed by two alleged shoplifting offences comprising €123 of aftershave from Lloyds Pharmacy, Ballinalee Road, Longford and a €78 Tommy Hilfiger hoodie from Sports Direct, Ballymahon Street, Longford just hours later.

Sgt Mark Mahon, for the prosecution, sought a brief adjournment, saying a file had only been sent to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) less than 24 hours previously.

John Quinn, defending, put it to Mr Reilly if he was willing to consent to a further three week remand in custody which would see the case being deferred until November 7.

“I would like to deal with it now,” said Mr Reilly, in response.

As the case was put back to a sitting of Harristown District Court this Friday, October 27, Mr Quinn asked Judge Brendan O'Reilly to make the charges as peremptory against the State in a bid to possibly have the matter struck out on the next occasion if DPP directions were not available.

When Judge O'Reilly replied with a firm, “no”, Mr Quinn asked for it to be marked as “time passing,” in a request that was again turned down by the judge.

Mr Reilly was consequently remanded in custody until October 27 ahead of an expected appearance before Harristown District Court.