TWO Derry men have appeared in court in Letterkenny, charged with carrying out robberies in County Donegal.
One of them was later jailed on previous charges after it emerged a bench warrant had been issued for his arrest.
Daniel Armstrong, (22), from Fernabbey Drive in Derry and Ryan McGlinchey (20), from Benview, Coshquin, Derry, appeared in court in handcuffs.
Each faced four charges of theft.
It followed a Garda operation in Quigley’s Point on Sunday evening, following an alert raised by members of the local community.
The court heard from Detective Elaine Tighe who led the Garda operation.
She said that Armstrong had replied ‘no’ when each of the charges were put to him.
The court heard that a bench warrant had been issued for the arrest of Armstrong in respect of a breach of a community service order; he received a conviction at Letterkenny District Court for theft in April 2, 2012 but had not completed the 80 hour community service.
Judge Paul Kelly was told that Armstrong was denying the theft charges. The judge invoked the 2012 sentence and jailed Armstrong for four months.
He will appear in court in Harristown this Friday on the Quigley’s Point charges.
McGlinchey, said the detective, had replied ‘no’ to each of three theft charges but on the fourth charge had replied: “You’re crafty.”
Judge Kelly set bail at €250 cash with an independent surety of €1000 and banned McGlinchey from Donegal except to sign on twice per week at Buncrana Garda Station.
Inspector David Kelly told the judge that further charges may arise.
It follows an incident at Quigley’s Point in which a number of cars and garages were raided and a generator, cash, wallet and other items were taken.