Latest news with #SligoDistrictCourt
Sunday World
04-07-2025
- Sunday World
Three family members of suspected burglary gang charged with organised crime offences
The men, from Dublin, who are related and include a father and son, were denied bail at Sligo District Court and remanded in continuing custody. Three suspected members of a burglary gang were charged yesterday with organised crime offences. The men, from Dublin, who are related and include a father and son, were denied bail at Sligo District Court and remanded in continuing custody. The court previously heard the case against them was part of a wider investigation into a large number of burglaries, mostly in the west of Ireland. The three are Edward Connors (50) and his son Larry Connors (27), both of Bridgeview, Cloverhill Road, Clondalkin, and Edward Connors (28), of Drumkerring Park, Fettercairn, Tallaght. Edward Connors (50) Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 4th They face a range of charges linked to separate burglary and associated offences. They were brought before Sligo District Court yesterday and charged with organised crime offences as part of an investigation carried out by gardaí from the Western Region. The elder Edward Connors was charged with one count under Section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 of facilitating and enhancing the activities of a criminal organisation in relation to a garda interception in Co Kildare last November. He was further charged under Section 73 of the same act, which states that a person who commits a serious offence for the benefit of, at the direction of, or in association with, a criminal organisation is guilty of an offence. In his case, these alleged offences are concerned with two burglaries, in Co Sligo in April 2023 and Co Tipperary last August. Larry Connors (27) Among other offences he is charged with is alleged criminal damage to a van that occurred in Co Roscommon last November. Larry Connors was charged with the same two offences under the Criminal Justice Act, with his Section 73 charge related to an alleged burglary in Co Roscommon last November. The men are further charged with handling stolen jewellery The younger Edward Connors was charged with a single Section 72 offence under the organised crime legislation. As with the other two defendants, this charge is related to the circumstances of his arrest in Co Kildare last November 29. Gardaí had earlier charged all three men with having in their possession gloves, torches, a pry bar, pliers, a heavy-duty axe, screwdrivers, a signal interference device, a telescopic ladder, a vehicle refuelling kit, surface disinfectant and two sets of number plates not matching the car they were travelling in, when they were stopped at Cadamstown, Johnstownbridge, Co Kildare, last November 29. They have been in custody since their arrests last November. All three were refused High Court bail during an application before Mr Justice Tony Hunt in early January and were again refused bail at yesterday's hearing. Bail could not have been granted to them at the district court on the organised crime charges. Convictions in relation to Section 72 or 73 of the act can attract a maximum prison sentence of 15 years. Their case is expected to be sent forward to the next sitting of Sligo Circuit Criminal Court, and it has been remanded for a week for service of books of evidence. The men are further charged with handling stolen jewellery taken during the course of a burglary at a house in Tuam, Co Galway, last November 28. They are charged with further separate offences, some of which were upgraded at yesterday's court sitting.
Sunday World
04-07-2025
- Sunday World
Man (44) had a metal retractable baton in car when stopped by gardaí at checkpoint
Nicholas Stevens, Baile an Cnoic, Dromore West, Sligo was charged with possession of an article with intent to cause injury at Skreenmore, Skreen, Co Sligo, on March 3 2023. A 44-year-old man who was stopped by gardaí and had his vehicle searched was subsequently found with a metal retractable baton near the handbrake, Sligo District Court was told. Nicholas Stevens, Baile an Cnoic, Dromore West, Sligo was charged with possession of an article with intent to cause injury at Skreenmore, Skreen, Co Sligo, on March 3 2023. He was also charged with drug driving and not having insurance at Pier Road, Enniscrone on February 20 2020. Judge Michael Connellan was sitting at Sligo District Court Today's News in 90 Seconds - July 4th Sgt Kieran Naughton of Sligo Garda Station outlined to the court that he was on duty on the date and was carrying out a checkpoint with colleagues at the location at 9:55pm. He stopped a vehicle, a Hyundai, and spoke to the driver, Nicholas Stevens, who was accompanied by his three sons, He informed him he was going to carry out a search under the Misuse of Drugs Act, and while searching the vehicle, he found a metal retractable baton in the front of the vehicle, near the handbrake, Sgt Naughton outlined. It was in a closed position. He showed the baton to the occupants and Nicholas Stevens said he was the owner of the baton. Sgt Naughton took a cautioned memo from him. He said his address was Lord Edward Street, Ballina although he is living in Dromore West. When asked why it was in the vehicle, he replied he took it off some kids who were messing. He said it was 'there months'. When asked who were the children, he replied he was not going to say. The baton was in an evidence bag and shown to Judge Michael Connellan. Sgt Naughton said it was seized under the relevant legislation. Inspector Angela Cummins asked the sergeant if the baton was clearly visible in the vehicle, and he replied that it was. He said the defendant said they were travelling from Killybegs after buying a motorcycle trailer, which was attached to the vehicle. When asked by Inspector Cummins what was the purpose of the checkpoint, Sgt Naughton replied he decided to set it up with colleagues from Sligo and Skreen as a crime prevention checkpoint. When asked if the defendant was known to him, he replied he was. Inspector Cummins asked the sergeant what Stevens said about the baton and the sergeant said that he took it off some kids who were messing. He put it to him that he didn't believe him at the time and that it was in arm's reach of the driver. Defending solicitor, Mr Mark Mullaney, asked the sergeant if he recalled where the sons were sitting in the vehicle, and he replied that he didn't. Mr Mullaney said that the oldest son, Nicholas Jr, would say he was sitting behind his father. He asked Sgt Naughton how long he spent searching and he replied that it was a detailed search. Mr Mullaney put it to him that it took time to find the baton as it was 'jammed down' the side rail of the driver's seat. Sgt Naughton replied he found it 'without any issue'. He agreed that nothing else was found. Mr Mullaney said that his client stated he took the baton off kids a number of months before and didn't think about it after. Sgt Naughton said he could have disposed of it, or handed into gardaí, instead of sitting in his car within arm's reach. Sgt Naughton told the court he is a garda a long time and a sergeant a long time and he previously worked in the drugs unit and has carried out a large number of searches of vehicles. He said during that time, he has only ever come across a metal extendable baton twice. Mr Mullaney asked in relation to the car if it was privately owned and he said it was. When asked by the solicitor if he had taken a photograph of the baton in situ, he said he had not. Nichols Jr was called to the witness box. He said he was a rear passenger. When asked by Mr Mullaney if he was aware of the presence of the baton, he said he was, 'maybe the day before.' He said that it was closer to the back of the vehicle. When asked by Inspector Cummins what age he was at the time, he said he thought he was seventeen. The Inspector put it to him that he heard the evidence of Sgt Naughton who said it was visible to see and the witness replied it was near the railing of the seat. Mr Mullaney then said he had an application to make. He said that in relation to same, to consider it an offence, it has to be committed in a public place. He said that it was a private car, however it may be on a public road, but it was private and the public don't have access to it. He said it could not have been committed in a public place. He said if the baton was taken out of the car then it was in a public place, but where it was found, was in the confines of a private place. Judge Connellan said he didn't accept the argument. Sgt Naugton told him that Stevens had 47 previous convictions dating back sometime. He handed in a catalogue of the convictions, including road traffic, drugs, assault, theft and public order. Sgt Naughton said that the defendant was involved in a very serious road traffic accident in recent years. Mr Mullaney said he suffered a very serious brain injury. In relation to February 2 2020, Inspector Cummins said gardaí were alerted to a two car road-traffic collision at Pier Road, Enniscrone, Co Sligo. An oral fluid sample tested positive for cocaine. Gda Ciarán Feeney found that his policy for insurance was not valid. Mr Mullaney said his instructions were that he had a policy on another vehicle. Judge Connellan asked if he was ever convicted of drug driving and the court heard he was not. He convicted and disqualified him for one year. On the no insurance, he disqualified him for ten years. On the possession of the article, Judge Connellan convicted and sentenced him to four months in prison, suspended for twelve months with conditions to keep the peace and be of good behaviour. He told him he has a 'chequered history' and a significant number of previous convictions although he hasn't come before the courts since 2022. He warned him if he does come back before the court, he will be going to jail..
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Man's behaviour towards gardaí in Sligo Courthouse was ‘totally unacceptable'
A 48-year-old man before Sligo District Court charged with two counts of Public Order was told by Judge Michael Connellan his behaviour was 'totally unacceptable'. Declan Cunnane, Declan Cunnane with addresses at Dejavu, Loughlinstown, Cherrywood, Dublin 6 and Woodfield, Ballymote, Co Sligo was charged with engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour at the Clayton Hotel, Clarion Road, Sligo on January 17 2025. He was also charged with the same offence at Sligo Courthouse, Teeling St, Sligo on May 1 2025.
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Sligo District Court told defendant (42) is ‘on the right road'
Sligo Champion A 42-year-old man before Sligo District Court on a number of drug charges was given a suspended sentence by Judge Michael Connellan. Owen Mahon, City Gate Apartments, Sligo was charged that on March 10 2023 at City View, he had Diamorphine unlawfully in his possession.
Irish Independent
22-05-2025
- Irish Independent
Man ‘a scourge' on Sligo town as he is jailed for thefts
Sligo Champion A man before Sligo District Court charged with a number of thefts was given a six month prison sentence by Judge Michael Connellan. Dean Mahon (41), Kiernan Avenue, Collooney, Co Sligo was charged with a number of offences, including that on January 11 2024, at Aldi, Cranmore Road, Sligo, did steal a bottle of vodka and bottle of Jameson Whiskey worth €51.70. On July 5 2024 at Londis, Cleveragh Road, he did steal a bottle of Jameson Whiskey valued at €45. He was also charged that on July 7 2024, at Aldi, Cranmore Road, he did steal a bottle of wine €8.99.
