03-07-2025
Dubliner accused of late-night raid at intellectual disabilities provider
Ballymun man Derek Hickey (37) appeared before Judge Peter White at a sitting of Longford District Court
This is the first image of a man accused of breaking into a midlands based disabilities provider and causing criminal damage during a late night raid.
Derek Hickey (37) of Shangan Crescent, Ballymun, Dublin 9, appeared before Judge Peter White at a sitting of Longford District Court to face a total of five charges which were allegedly committed over the course of May 28 and May 29.
The Dubliner, who is on bail, first came before the courts at a special sitting in Carrick-on-Shannon just over five weeks ago following his arrest barely four hours after a break-in was reported at St Christopher's Services in Longford town.
Derek Hickey on the steps of Longford Courthouse.
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The accused was later charged with burglary at the Battery Road facility by entering St Christopher's Special School as a trespasser on May 29.
He was also charged with two counts of trespass at Aughatoom House, Battery Road, Longford and at a property at Druid Glen, White Linen Woods in the midlands town.
The court was previously told how it will be alleged a suspect matching Hickey's description was observed on CCTV wearing a high vis jacket and blue cap gaining entry to the premises and where a series of electrical items were taken.
Derek Hickey stands accused of breaking into intellectual disabilities provider St Christopher's in Longford town.
That incident, it was alleged, led to a laptop being taken, the total of haul of which amounted to €1,200.
The court heard how it will be alleged Hickey was stopped shortly after 7am along the Earl Street area of town wearing 'identical clothing' to the attire which had been observed on the suspect in CCTV taken from the scene while in possession of the stolen property which had been taken from St Christopher's just hours earlier.
Hickey was further charged with causing criminal damage to a vehicle when attempting to pull the wires of its ignition in a bid to start it alongside a further count of theft from Aldi, Athlone Road, Longford the previous evening.
Derek Hickey on the steps of Longford Courthouse.
It was Hickey's third time in court when he appeared before Longford District Court and where his solicitor Anthony Feeney made an application for the 'full disclosure' of all relevant State evidence to be handed over in order to consider his client's position.
Hickey, who sported a blue Nike tracksuit to court, did not enter a plea and remained silent throughout the hearing.
Judge Peter White acceded to Mr Feeney's request and remanded Hickey on continuing bail to a sitting of Longford District Court on October 21 when the accused is expected to enter a plea or seek a date for hearing.
