Limerick grandfather who came home from the UK refused bail

A GRANDFATHER who is accused of criminal damage and making threats to a family member was refused bail, following a strong garda objection.

Roger Ryan, aged 42, who is originally from Rathkeale and who recently returned from the UK appeared before Newcastle West District Court, having been arrested by gardaí. 

Detective Sergeant Mike Reidy told the court the State was opposing bail pursuant to Section 2 of the Bail Act and O'Callaghan rules.

He said gardaí believe Mr Ryan, who does not have a current Irish address, represents a flight risk.

The charges relate to alleged offences on September 25 and 26, 2022, along with further alleged offences in October of the same year. 

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In September 2022, Mr Ryan allegedly smashed five windows at a family member's home, causing approximately €1,000 worth of damage. 

He is also charged with threatening to cause further damage during a phone call to the same family member on the same dates.

The defendant is further charged with causing damage to a garda patrol car and assaulting a member of An Garda Síochána. 

Those incidents are alleged to have occurred in Rathkeale on October 27, 2022 after he was allegedly observed driving in a dangerous manner.

Judge Carol Anne Coolican was told the Director of Public Prosecutions has been consulted and that the case is to proceed summarily in the district court. 

Opposing bail, Detective Sgt Reidy  expressed concerns that Mr Ryan is a flight risk and that he will not appear in court for future hearings.

Representing Mr Ryan, solicitor Ted McCarthy pointed out that his client voluntarily presented himself to the court to face the charges and that he “had returned from the UK to do so.”

Det Sgt Reidy replied: “He would have been aware he was actively sought over the past number of weeks and months.”

Mr McCarthy added that his client is “on good terms” with the alleged injured party and he said  Mr Ryan was willing to live at an address in Limerick - details of which were provided to the court.

However, Det Sgt Reidy said this address was not acceptable to gardai adding: “No conditions of bail will allay my concerns.”

Taking the stand himself, Mr Ryan said that he is a father of seven and has two grandchildren.

He admitted he did go to the UK (following the alleged incidents), but that now he wants to face the charges and deal with his own ongoing issues. 

“I want to prove to the courts that I'm trying to better myself,” he said. 

When asked by Inspector Gearóid Thompson if he had made any attempts to contact the gardaí since he left Ireland in 2023, Mr Ryan said he had not. 

Inspector Thompson acknowledged that Mr Ryan has some personal difficulties and Mr Ryan said: “I'm trying to make my life better”.

He told the court that he left the country because he was afraid and that he was drinking too much at the time. 

“Sadly, I made that big mistake,” he said in reference to his travelling to the UK. 

Having considered the submissions, Judge Coolican said she needs to “maintain the integrity of the judiciary process.”

She said that her overriding consideration is that the applicant “should turn up for court hearings and not engage in criminal conduct.”

Judge Coolican added he is facing  “serious charges” and that she was satisfied that Mr Ryan presented as a flight risk.

She refused bail and remanded him in custody.

Legal aid was granted to solicitor Ted McCarthy.