Castledermot man allegedly stole car outside a hospital while in a wheelchair
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A MAN who has been in custody for over two months after he allegedly stole a car – while in a wheelchair with a broken leg – pleaded with the judge for a sentence before acceding to the advice of his counsel.
Edward Stokes (42), with an address at Lerr Avenue, Abbeylands, Castledermot, appeared at Naas District Court on 23 April by video link from a remand centre following his arrest on 18 February. He had been arrested at an address in Saggart, Co Dublin after gardaí tracked the stolen car there, following information given by the rightful owner.
The car was stolen from Naas General Hospital underground car park after Mr Stokes allegedly took the keys from a jacket pocket in a staffroom before going down in the lift and pressing the fob until one car beeped.
All of this was done, apparently, from a wheelchair, which he had been given upstairs following his treatment for a broken leg.
The defendant was in court ostensibly for the book of evidence and an official trial date to be set.
However, Sgt Dave Hanrahan told Judge Desmond Zaidan that, as another charge had recently been added, he was seeking that this presentation be put back until today, Tuesday 5 May, to allow for the new charge be included.
He reminded the judge of the charges: “Theft and burglary at Naas General Hospital with a broken leg.”
“I remember this,” smiled the judge. “Broken leg, stole keys, pressed the button until a car lit up, then his eyes lit up.”
“I’ve been in prison ever since,” Mr Stokes complained on the screen.
“How’s your leg?” the judge enquired.
“Ah, it’s not too bad,” said Stokes, “but when might I know my sentence, what I’m getting? I just want this to be over and done with. I’m genuinely sorry.
‘‘I just want to plead guilty,” he declared.
“Are you sure?” asked the judge.
At this point, Mr Stokes’s solicitor Tim Kennelly interjected: “You want to go forward on assigned pleas without seeing the book of evidence?”
This seemed more of a warning than a question, and Mr Stokes hesitated.
“I need to consult with my client and we’ll have a decision on 5 May,” the solicitor told the court.
