A man who is accused of putting a nail-bar down his trousers in Woodies on the Headford Road and making no attempt to pay for it is also accused of stealing a pliers from Halford’s on the same day. He is also in custody on charges of using a lump hammer to break the lock of an e-scooter, and was again remanded in custody until the December 22 sitting of Galway District Court.
Gardaí found Martin Barrett, who lives in sheltered accommodation, in possession of an e-scooter, a broken lock and chain and the large lump hammer when they caught up with him in Woodquay after he was identified by a member of the public. He is in custody since his arrest on September 28 last.
The Gardaí objected to Barrett being given bail as he had a very poor record in this area. Sixteen bench warrants had been issued for him when he failed to turn up in court in the past. He had 86 previous convictions, 49 of which were for offences committed while he was on bail.
On Monday last Barrett again appeared before the court. Judge John Brennan heard that the defendant is also charged that on September 28 last he attempted to gain access to a car in the driveway of a home on Renmore Road.
At the September Court the defence pleaded that the defendant’s son had asked him to pick up his e-scooter, and this is what he thought he was doing when apprehended by the Gardaí.
Barrett is 46, has six children and has a long history of drug abuse, his solicitor pleaded.
When Gardaí apprehended Barrett on a stolen e-scooter at Woodquay, the judge was told that this was his third attempt at taking an e-scooter on the day and it is alleged he used a large lump hammer to break the lock.
Olivia Traynor solicitor (defending ) asked the judge to make an order that her client receive all necessary medical treatment while in custody. She was concerned that this was not being done. Judge Brennan made that order.
This article is funded by Comisiún na Meán.
