Youths charged in connection with daytime burglaries in Limerick

THREE youths who were arrested after gardai chased them across fields have appeared in court on burglary charges.

Daniel Harty, aged 18, of Geitne Close, Askeaton and a juvenile, who can’t be named, were granted bail at Limerick District Court on Tuesday while a third suspect appeared before Newcastle West Court on the same day.

All three were arrested near Ballingarry at around 3pm on Monday by gardai who had  been alerted to burglaries in the Patrickswell and Banogue areas.

The foot chase across a number of fields took place after the occupants of a Belfast-registered Peugeot 206 fled after the car was involved in a collision with another car being driven by a young woman.

Opposing bail in the case of Daniel Harty, Garda Dean Landers said it will be alleged the defendant is a member of a travelling crime gang which was targeting unoccupied homes.

He said gardai were alerted to a burglary near Patrickswell at around 11am after the occupants of a house noticed a dark-coloured car parked outside the front gate.

He said a man who lives with his elderly mother observed two men wearing “ski masks” and dark clothes approaching the house while two others acted as lookouts in the car.

All four suspects fled “at speed” after they were confronted by the occupants of the house who then contacted gardai.

“These four males were travelling to houses which appeared to be unoccupied,” said Garda Landers.

Judge Marian O’Leary was told it is the State case that Mr Harty acted as a lookout during the burglary at Patrickswell. He is not charged in connection with the burglary in Banogue.

Opposing bail in the case of the 17-year-old, Detective Garda Shane Ryan said he believes the defendant “knew exactly what he was doing” and that he would continue to engage in criminality if released.

The youth’s father, who lodged a €3,000 cash surety with the court, said his son is a “good boy” and that he would ensure he would “not be going around with that crowd again”.

Both defendants were granted bail subject to strict conditions including that they do not associate with each other or any witnesses in the case.

The third accused, who appeared before Newcastle West Court was also granted bail subject to strict conditions.

The man, who is aged in his early 20s, is charged in connection with both burglaries and with road traffic offences.

A file is to be prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to the matter.