Man accused of driving stolen car through Longford may be facing further charges

A defendant accused of a series of offences that took place over the course of one day who will have matters heard in the Circuit Court will have three charges dealt with in the District Court.

At present Michael Farrell (31) of 44 Montpelier Gardens, Infirmary Road, Dublin 7 is due to have 15 charges dealt with in the Circuit Court, but four charges may be added.

The alleged offences Mr Farrell is accused of commenced in Dublin and ended in Lanesboro. At a recent sitting of Longford District Court Judge Bernadette Owens was told that charges of driving without a licence, trespass, driving without insurance and taking possession of a vehicle have not yet been the subject of DPP direction.

The alleged offending took place on July 7, 2023 at Derryoghill, Lanesboro. At a previous sitting the defendant was presented with the Book of Evidence against him.

The offences set out in the Book of Evidence are: on July 7, 2023 at Scots Parade Athlone Mr Farrell took possession of a vehicle without the consent of the owner, on the same day he damaged at Foigha Kenagh, at Corrib Oil, Patrick's St Mullingar he drove off without paying for fuel to the value of €50 and at Corrib Oil, Ballymahon Road, Athlone he drove off without paying of fuel to the value of €30.

The other charges in the B of E are: at Cloontabegh, Lanesboro, Ballyleague he handled stolen property (a silver chain and a wallet), at Cloontaghmore, Lanesboro he damaged property, at Derryohill, Lanesboro he handled stolen property (€300 in coins).

Mr Farrell is also charged with damaging by fire a Mitsubishi Pajero jeep belonging to another person at Cloontabeg, Lanesboro, causing property damage at Longford Garda Station in that he did excrete on the floor and stuff fast food packaging down the toilet.

Further charges are that at Foigha, Kenagh he caused €450 worth of property damage to a front door, possession of cannabis herb, taking possession of a vehicle without the consent of the owner at 52 Viking Road, Arbour Hill, Dublin, and theft of a pedal cycle at Athlone Extrusion, Grace Rd, Athlone.

The remaining charges are that at Clontaghmore, Lanesboro he trespassed, at Scotch Parade, Athlone he drove without insurance or a drivers licence and that he did trespass at Derryoghill, Lanesboro.

At the most recent District Court sitting Sergeant Mark Mahon asked the judge if the three charges could be put back to a later date for DPP directions.

The defendant was remanded in custody with consent to bail until July 9 next when he will be appearing in the Circuit Court on the same day.

The defendant entered his own bond of €200.