Brian ‘Mouse’ Ward pictured in handcuffs outside Letterkenny Court last week
A SUSPECT in a €36,000 heist from an ESB depot wasn’t at the address he gave to Gardai, a court has heard.
Brian ‘Mouse’ Ward 77 Ardkeen, Cavan, was brought before Judge Paul Kelly this afternoon at Letterkenny District Court.
Ward, who is 19, was charged with handling stolen goods after Garda Paul McGee seized €36k of copper wiring from a van Ward was travelling in a week ago at the Dry Arch Roundabout in Letterkenny.
Ward was released on bail with strict conditions including that he stay out of County Donegal until his trial, except for court appearances.
He was also warned to stay at the address in Cavan he had given to Gardai.
However at today’s court Inspector Michael Harrison told Judge Kelly that Cavan Gardai had called to the address on a number of occasions and there was no sign of Ward.
Gardai, he said, were not satisfied that Ward was actually staying at the address he had given.
Defence solicitor Patsy Gallagher told the court that he had been given assurances by the landlord of the property that Ward was staying there.
Judge Kelly remarked: “Proof of the paying of rent is not proof that he is living there.”
However Mr Gallagher said his client just happened to be out of the property at the times Gardai had called.
Judge Kelly ordered Ward to give his mobile phone number to Gardai and said he must respond when contacted by Gardai.
A co-accused Tom ‘Ernie’ McDonagh, also 19, of 42 Hazelbrook Crescent, Letterkenny, has been charged with theft and handling stolen goods.
He is currently in custody.
The men were driving a van with the registration plate 04 CN 6132 and had been using the address 11A Ard Glass, Letterkenny.