BAIL was refused to a man who, it is alleged, pushed a woman to the ground and stole her purse after she refused to buy his mobile phone for €50.
Leonard Waters (36), of Colmcille Street, St Mary’s Park, Limerick, was applying for bail in Limerick District Court on charges of robbery and theft.
Judge Patrica Harney heard evidence from Garda Seamus Barry that it is alleged that at 10.30am on July 21 last at Clare Street, the accused approached a woman and asked her to buy his mobile phone for €50.
When she refused, it’s alleged Mr Waters took the woman’s purse from her jacket and pushed her to the ground.
- External Walls: Up to €8,000 Grant
- Attic: Up to €1,500 Grant
- Cavity Walls: Up to €1,700 Grant
- Internal Dry Lining: Up to €4,500 Grant
Garda Barry told the court that, in her description of the robber, the victim said he “had a black eye”.
Gardaà who saw Waters at a location near the alleged robbery arrested him. He had a black eye at the time of arrest, Garda Barry told the court.
There were other charges against Waters read out to the court , including the alleged theft of a generator worth €400 from St Munchin’s Street and the theft of a total of €40 worth of goods from Garvey’s SuperValu.
Garda Barry said he was objecting to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the robbery charge and the potential sentence which that carries, along wtih concerns that Waters might not turn up to court.
Mr Waters’ solicitor put it to the Garda witness that the place where his client was arrested was “10 to 15 minutes walk” from where the alleged offence took place and there were two people involved in the robbery which the victim had reported. Mr Waters was alone when arrested, the solicitor said.
Judge Harney noted that the Director of Public Prosecutions had directed that there was sufficient evidence for the case to be sent for hearing in the Circuit Court.
The judge said that she believed, on the evidence of Garda Barry, that she should refuse bail.
“Of particular note is the evidence of the lady who was attacked who said the man (who attacked her) had a black eye,” she said.
Judge Harney adjourned the matter until January 20.
– Court Reporting Scheme