A 13-year-old boy has been granted bail after being charged with seven separate theft charges in Letterkenny.
The boy, who cannot be named due to his age, was accompanied by his mother during a special sitting of the court, which was held in private.
Garda Eoin Nicholson told Carndonagh Court that he arrested the boy on July 29th last.
He said he then charged the boy, in the presence of his mother, with seven different offences relating to seven separate theft charges. He made no reply to the charges.
Each of the alleged offences refers to incidents within the Letterkenny area.
The boy, who also has an address in Letterkenny was charged with stealing a black go cart from Liam O’Donnell, which has been valued at €250, from Letterkenny Community Centre on July 7, 2019.
He is also charged with entering the staff area of Counter, Canal Road, Letterkenny, as a trespasser with the intention of committing theft on July 8. The following day, July 9, the 13-year-old is accused of entering the basement area of the Station House Hotel in Letterkenny as a trespasser with the intention of committing theft.
On July 21 at Babyzone, Letterkenny, the boy is accused of entering the till area of the shop with the intent of committing theft and on July 27 he is charged with trespassing at the Crown store room, intending to commit theft.
Last week on July 28, the boy was facing two similar charges for trespassing at McGettigan’s Hotel, Upper Main Street, Letterkenny and O’Donnell Park, Clubhouse, Ballymacool.
Garda Inspector David Durkan said the case had been referred to the National Juvenile Office and the Director of Public Prosecutions for directions.
He said Gardaí have no objection to bail, however he outlined a number of conditions, which the boy must adhere to.
Insp. Durkan said the boy must reside at his mother’s residence and adhere to a curfew between 8pm and 9am each day. He said Gardaí are allowed to call to the home or telephone to enquire to his whereabouts.
The Garda Inspector barred the boy from the Canal Road area of Letterkenny, however his mother requested that this be extended to the Main Street, Market Square and effectively the urban part of Letterkenny town. This would give the Gardaí the power to arrest the boy again if they find him in any of these areas.
Gardaí also barred the boy from associating with three other young males.
Judge Paul Kelly asked the young teen if he understood the conditions of his bail and what it would mean if he were to break any of these strict rules.
“Do you understand that the Gardaí would have the power to arrest you and your bail could be revoked?” he asked the teenager.
The boy replied saying he understood.
Judge Kelly adjourned the case until the September court in Letterkenny.