Longford accused requests that Judge strikes out theft charge

A Longford man accused of carrying out a string of thefts in the county town over a five month period asked a judge last week to have one of the cases marked peremptory against the State, meaning the charges could be struck out if directions are not available on the next date.

John Robertson (32), with addresses at Moatefarrell, Ballinalee, Co Longford and 79 MacEoin Park, Longford, appeared via video link at last week’s sitting of Longford District Court to face a series of outstanding shoplifting, drugs, public order and assault charges.

Sgt Enda Daly, for the prosecution, in outlining the background to each of the alleged offences, revealed how directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) were still awaited in connection to a reported theft at Supersavers, Mastertech Business Park, Longford on August 14, 2022.

That alleged incident resulted in the theft of €630 in cash in an investigation Sgt Daly confided was both painstaking and “quite extreme”.

Listening on via video link, Mr Robertson illustrated his understanding of the District Court’s weekly business by asking his solicitor Bríd Mimnagh to ask Judge Bernadette Owens to potentially strike out the case if directions are not obtained on the next court date.
“Can we look for peremptory on that?” he asked.
“This is going on months now and I have already done six weeks on remand on these charges.”
Details concerning a series of other charges levelled against Mr Robertson were also read into the court file.

They included alleged shoplifting incidents at Mr Price on December 3 resulting in the theft of €15 worth of cleaning products, two thefts from Boots, Ballymahon Street, Longford on August 9, 2022 and Lloyds Pharmacy, Ballinalee Road, Longford on September 27, 2022, coinciding in the theft of €105 and €24.50 of perfume.
In between both of those incidents, Mr Robertson was alleged to have been found with €20 of cocaine at Cooleeny, Longford contrary to Section 3 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977.
In addition, Mr Robertson was charged with allegedly assaulting another man at Annaly Park, Longford on July 19, 2022.

More recently, the accused was charged with criminal damage having, in his own words “declared my love” by damaging a cell wall on a date unknown between October 3 and October 4, 2022.
A separate public order charge where Mr Robertson allegedly used threatening and abusive behaviour at Boots, Ballymahon Street, Longford on July 19, 2022 was similarly aired before Judge Owens at last week’s District Court sitting.
Mr Robertson pleaded guilty to all charges aside from the Supersavers theft where directions were still outstanding.

A further charge taken under Section 9 of the Firearms Act where Mr Robertson was alleged to have been found in possession of a nail was struck out.
That came after Ms Mimnagh insisted there was nothing “untoward” about the incident as the nail had been found in her client’s pocket.
Noting how both the Supersavers incident and the alleged assault charge would require the canvassing of a victim impact statement, Judge Owens said the pleas entered in connection to the other matters before the court was evidence that the court was “making progress”.

She stopped short of marking the Supersavers alleged theft as peremptory against the State, but nonetheless told Sgt Daly she would be detailing it as “time passing”.

Judge Owens also confirmed a seven day further remand in custody was being ordered on consent of the defence.
Mr Robertson asked to be present on the next court date.
“Can I be produced?” he asked, leading Ms Mimnagh to reveal how her client was also due before the Circuit Criminal Court on a separate matter.

“Will the Circuit Court matter be dealt with next week?” Mr Roberston asked, a question the Longford solicitor said was one which remained at the discretion of the judge.
After being informed he was being remanded in custody to appear back before Longford District Court yesterday (Tuesday), Mr Robertson nodded his head and wished Judge Owens a “happy new year” before being led back to his cell.