Breaking: Suspect appears in court charged in connection with burglaries

A man has appeared before a special sitting of Kilkenny District Court tonight charged in connection with two burglaries in the city centre earlier today.

David Barry of no fixed abode appeared before Judge Colin Daly charged with burglary at St Canice's Credit Union and Ladbrokes Betting Office on Kieran Street.

Sergeant Alma Molloy told the court that there were no directions available from the DPP at present.

Solicitor Chris Hogan applied for bail on behalf of his client. His application was opposed by gardaí on a number of grounds including the seriousness of the alleged charges.

Garda Kevin Seymour told the court that it is alleged that at 4am this morning the accused entered St Canice's Credit Union on High Street as a trespasser and stole property.

"CCTV has been obtained and gardaí have identified the defendant from the CCTV," he said.

He told the court that it would also be alleged that at 4.20am the defendant entered Ladbrokes on Kieran Street and stole property and that CCTV was obtained and that the defendant was also identified by gardaí at this location.

Garda Seymour also outlined in his evidence how at 4.30am the defendant was found by gardaí at the Butterslip in the city cente and the garda alleged that the defendant was in possession of a hatchet and of property both from St Canice's Credit Union and Ladbrokes on Kieran Street. 

Gardaí told the court that the defendant is of no fixed abode and that enquiries had been made regarding an address that the defendant had provided where he says he resides.

Judge Daly adjourned matters to Carlow District Court tomorrow (Thursday) and told the defence to have the owner of the property in court to confirm that the defendant is welcome to reside at the address if granted bail.

Mr Barry was remanded in custody overnight to appear at Carlow District Court tomorrow.