A Co Donegal man has appeared in court after admitting breaking into two businesses in Letterkenny overnight.
Gavin Mitchell appeared at a special sitting of Letterkenny District Court this afternoon following the burglaries.
The court was told that Mitchell, aged 48, handed himself into Letterkenny Garda Station at 7am this morning.
It followed break-ins to both the AXA Insurance office and Catherine’s Beauty Salon at Port Road in the town.
Mitchell is charged with entering AXA Insurance as a trespasser and committing an arrestable offence to wit criminal damage of its front window valued at €1,000 as well as the theft of various items within.
The court heard Mitchell used a cement block to smash the front window of the premises.
The charge is Contrary to Section 12 1b and 3 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
He is also charged that having entered Catherine’s Beauty Salon at Port Road he committed an arrestable offence to wit criminal damage to the front door valued at €500 as well as the theft of various items within.
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The charge is Contrary to Section 12 1 (b) and 3 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
Gardai Sergeant Ciaran Feeney told the court they were objecting to bail on the grounds that the accused may reoffend and may also flee the jurisdiction.
Mitchell told the court that he tried to contact his solicitor but due to the ongoing industrial action, he could not be represented.
Judge Ciaran Liddy explained to the accused that he could tell the court why he should be entitled to bail.
Mitchell said he was suffering from mental health issues and said he had willingly handed himself into Letterkenny Garda Station.
He told the court “I’m just asking for bail to get a bit of help. They (An Garda Siochana) didn’t have to come running for me.”
Having listened to both Gardai and the accused, Judge Liddy said he was “fifty fifty” about granting bail to Mitchell.
He added that he was granting the accused bail but under a number of conditions.
They include that he stays away from the Port Road in Letterkenny, that he stays at a designated address in Letterkenny, that he remains sober, that he attends his GP to seek an appointment with the psychiatric services and that he commits no further offences.
The case was adjourned until September 28th next.