Prosecution warned to hurry up or jewel thief boxer goes free
By Finian Coghlan
An international boxer who took part in a €29,000 robbery from an Athlone jeweller, had his case put back a final time to March 24, as the judge warned the State to come up with a charge by this date or he could be forced to strike it out.
Before the court was Kenneth Okungbowa (21) of Court Devenish, Athlone who was a semi-finalist in the national boxing championships and represented Ireland in an U21 tournament against Canada last year.
The court heard how Okungbowa was one of four who went into Blacoe’s jewellery shop on Church Street last August 11 and stole items worth a total of €29,000. No details of his co-defendants were read to the court.
The court heard how the defendant was responsible for taking one piece of jewellery, a diamond ring worth €6,000, for which he pleaded guilty in September.
Judge William Earley enquired as to how they managed this.
“It was a sneak theft, there was no violence. It was a distraction theft,” said Superintendent Aidan Glacken. He went on to explain to the judge that he was unable to proceed with the case at this time as he was “still awaiting DPP directions”. (This means that the State, through the Director of Public Prosecutions had not yet decided with what to charge the defendant).
Judge Earley accepted this position and remanded Okungbowa on continuing bail until March 24, but warned the Superintendent.
“This [case] has been before the court for more than six months. I’ll mark it peremptory for the prosecution,” said Judge Earley.
This is an official judicial warning to the prosecution to get its house in order, or run the risk of having a strung out case struck out.
Last May Okungbowa, a former Community College student, represented Ireland in an amateur boxing tournament in Cavan against Canada.
He won by a knock-out in the final round whilst competing in the super heavyweight division of 91+kgs, against Justin Atkinson, the Ontario champion.
In October last, the Athlone Boxing clubman was beaten by Sean Turner of Drimnagh in the semi-final of the national U21 superheavyweight division.