Second man charged over fertiliser heist in Limerick
A SECOND man has been charged in connection with an alleged fertiliser heist in County Limerick.
Joe Power, aged 27, of Crean, Athlacca, County Limerick appeared before Judge Deirdre Gearty at Newcastle West Court.
Detective Garda Patrick Lee gave evidence of arresting Mr Power in Athlacca that morning and conveying him to Rathkeale garda station where he was later charged.
Mr Power is accused of assisting in the storage of a quantity of fertiliser and a flatbed trailer on farmland at Crean, Athlacca on March 22, 2022, with the intention of impeding a garda investigation.
Det Garda Lee said Mr Power made no reply to the charge after caution.
The fertiliser, the property of Kerry Co-op, was valued at €28,680. The flatbed trailer, valued at €20,000, was the property of a named individual.
Inspector Gearoid Thompson, prosecuting, said there was no objection to bail by the State subject to a number of conditions.
Michael O’Donnell, solicitor for Mr Power, said the bail conditions had been agreed. Mr Power is to reside in Crean, Athlacca; be available to gardai at all times; sign on every Tuesday in Bruff garda station between 9am and 9pm; be of good behaviour and have no contact with co-accused or alleged witnesses.
Judge Gearty said this includes no contact via social media, directly or indirectly, and including WhatsApp.
Insp Thompson said the matter has been subject of a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions and directions are for trial on indictment, which means the matter is to be dealt with in the circuit court as opposed to the district court.
Mr Power was remanded on bail to appear before Newcastle West Court in September for service of the book of evidence.
Mr O’Donnell said it was a suitable case for legal aid as Mr Power is not working. Judge Gearty granted legal aid.
In May, Noel Greaney, aged 38, of John Paul Terrace, Broadford, County Limerick was charged with four offences.
It is alleged that Mr Greaney stole assorted fertiliser valued at €28,680, the property of Kerry Co-op, at Glendarragh, Newcastle West on March 22, 2022.
On the same date and location, Mr Greaney is alleged to have stolen a flatbed trailer valued at €20,000. The defendant is accused of making a false report and statement at Newcastle garda station on March 22, 2022.
Two days later at an unknown location, it is alleged Mr Greaney “did menace” a witness “with the intention of causing the investigation to be obstructed, perverted or interfered with”.