A Galwayman who skipped bail and fled to the UK a decade ago to make a new life for himself found himself back before Court again this week facing the same charges he had thought he had left behind.
Judge Fiona Lydon, refusing bail this time, told him he couldn’t think he could swan off for ten years and then arrive back as if nothing had happened. “There wasn’t sign nor light of you in ten years and now you just swan in and expect that all is forgiven,” she said.
Olivia Traynor solr (defending ) said she would have to delve into her archives to find her client’s files from ten years before when her client was charged with burglary and public order offences.
Darren Hastings, formerly of Gateshead in the UK, told the Court he was currently residing in the Travelodge, Galway, which his mother was paying for, as he couldn’t reside in the family home. He is now residing in Castlerea Prison awaiting trial on the decade-old charges.
He told Judge Lydon at Monday’s sitting of Galway District Court that he had returned home a couple of days previously because his father was seriously ill. He had tried a new life in England but that had not worked out. “I tried to make a better life for myself, but now I’m home for good,” he said.
However, Garda Sgt Damien Prendergast challenged Hastings on his version of matters. He pointed out that contrary to what he had stated, he had in fact been in trouble while away and he had a UK conviction from as recently as last May. Objecting to bail, Sgt Prendergast pointed out that the defendant was giving the impression that he had come home to face the music, when in fact the only reason he was before the Court was because arresting Garda O’Toole had recognised him and arrested him.
Hastings asked were the charges he had faced ten years ago and the bench warrants issued for his arrest for his failure to turn up in Court not past their sell-by date at this stage, but was assured in no uncertain terms that they most certainly were not.
Judge Lydon was told that the Gardaí had grave concerns that if given bail he would not show up again.
Refusing bail, the Judge told him the good news was the Court would expedite matters as quickly as possible, as soon as Sgt Prendergast could round up the list of witnesses from a decade ago to belatedly give their evidence.
The defendant was remanded in custody to Castlerea Prison to appear before Court again via-video link at the November 17 sitting of the Court.
This article is funded by Comisiún na Meán.
