Man on arson charges refused bail in Carlow District Court
Carlow courthouse Photo: Michael O'Rourke
A MAN has been remanded in custody after a judge refused bail following his appearance at Carlow District Court last week. The defendant is facing three counts of arson and will be sent forward for trial at Circuit Court level.
Stephen Maguire, Montgomery Street, Carlow appeared before Judge Geraldine Carthy, represented by solicitor Joe Farrell. Garda Caroline O’Malley had previously served the book of evidence on Mr Maguire.
The court heard that directions for prosecution on indictment were issued on 26 February, at which time Judge Carthy had refused jurisdiction. The matter is listed for hearing at the next session of Carlow Circuit Court on 12 May.
The state objected to bail being granted. Judge Carthy noted a troubling pattern of non-appearance, telling the court that Mr Maguire had arrived late in October, failed to appear on 3 December and was again absent on 15 April, on which occasion a bench warrant was executed for him.
She added that when she had previously heard directions, she had refused jurisdiction and that on 4 February she had neither the consent of the director of public prosecutions (DPP) nor confirmation from Mr Maguire’s own solicitor to proceed.
Judge Carthy said there was a “propensity on the part of the accused to evade justice” and that “it would be a farce” if she did not accede to the position of the state.
Mr Farrell, in seeking bail, told the court that while his client had a history of non-appearance, gardaí were aware of where he resided. He added that Mr Maguire has a three-month-old daughter who is unwell and argued that as the matter would likely be on the court list for a considerable period of time, it would be unfair not to allow him to avail of bail.
Judge Carthy also issued Mr Maguire with an alibi warning and she remanded Mr Maguire in custody.
