In the courts

Tuam man remanded on city burglary A MAN with a Tuam address was remanded in custody at a special sitting of Galway District Court on Saturday after appearing on a charge regarding a burglary at a business premises in Abbeygate Street in the city. Garda Brendan Dooher gave evidence of arresting John Paul Ward at 3.05 am at Abbeygate Street. Mr Ward, with an address at 57 Parkmore, Tuam, was described in court by Garda Inspector Michael Coppinger as being 'caught red handed' inside a business premises.[private] Inspt Coppinger objected to bail as the offence was a serious one of burglary. He said the Garda evidence was that he would commit further crimes. The defendant already had 25 previous convictions, one for robbery, ten for burglaries and the others road traffic and public order offences. He was at present out on bail from the High Court and as he was also a heroin addict he felt that if given bail Mr. Ward would not turn up in court. Garda Dooher said he had already broken a 10 pm to 7 am curfew which confined him during these hours to the address that he was residing at in Tuam. Judge Gerard Furlong said there was clear evidence that he was in breach of existing bail conditions and he remanded him in custody to appear at Harristown District Court next Friday at 10.30 am. He also imposed restrictions on him applying for further bail at a District Court for the next four months and said any such application during that time would have to be at a sitting of the High Court. The defendant was represented in court by Sean Acton Solr who asked that a prescription for his Methadone treatment be collected at a Leo's Pharmacy in Tuam, and the Judge agreed that he should get any medical attention required. Two-year ban for driving with woman on car bonnet A YOUNG man drove with a woman on the bonnet of his car for a few metres before she slid off on to the road, Tuam District Court was told last week. She was knocked unconscious briefly and suffered soft tissue injuries. Brian Dolan of Castleview, Barnaderg was at a house party on April 24, 2011 in Garrafrauns, Dunmore and had brought two other people with him. Inspector Michael O'Dwyer told the Court that the two others felt unwelcome and they were subsequently asked to leave. They took exception to this and left in a red Honda Civic driven by Dolan. The car left the house but soon after turned around and drove back towards the house. The car, the Inspector said, appeared to drive at Emma Hardy and she landed on the bonnet. The car continued on for about eight metres before turning and the woman slid off and on to the road. The car didn't stop. The woman was knocked unconscious briefly and suffered soft tissue injuries. Dolan's solicitor, James Glynn, said his client was in the wrong place at the wrong time. He said there was a lot going on the night, a crowd had gathered outside and bottles were thrown at the car. He said the events weren't as dramatic as they sounded. Dolan had gone the wrong way when he left the house and had to turn around and pass by the house again. 'He's never been in trouble before and wants to move on,' said Mr Glynn. Judge Geoffrey Browne said the incident was 'crazy' and fined Dolan €200. He also disqualified him from driving for two years for dangerous driving. Man on 27 counts of rape and sexual assault A MAN has appeared at Tuam District Court facing charges of 27 counts of rape and sexual assault. The offences are alleged to have occurred on dates between 2006 and 2011. Judge Geoffrey Browne ordered that neither the accused nor the alleged victim can be named. Garda Kevin Brennan gave evidence of charging the man at Tallaght Garda Station on October 18. The accused gave no reply to any of the charges. The man currently resides in South Dublin and was granted bail subject to a number of conditions. These included surrendering his passport, not having any contact with the alleged victim or any witnesses and to reside at the address given to Gardaí. The man must also sign on at a specified garda station three days each week. The case was adjourned to Tuam District Court on November 13. [/private]