A MAN charged with unlawfully taking a car from Letterkenny University Hospital has appeared in court.
Five bench warrants were in existence for twenty-one-year-old Andrew Bladek, of Glenpatrick Park, Ballybofey, Letterkenny District Court heard.
Bladek is charged with unlawfully taking a car without the consent of the owner from Letterkenny University Hospital on July 18, 2021. He was charged under Section 112 of the Road Traffic Act.
Garda Gillespie gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Bladek at Glenpatrick Park, Ballybofey on July 26, 2021.
After caution, Bladek made no reply.
Gardaí objected to bail due to the seriousness of the offence and the likelihood of reoffending. The property in question was recovered at Bladek’s address, Garda Gillespie said.
Garda Gillespie told the court that there were five previous bench warrants in existence for Bladek. The accused, he said, has three burglary convictions as well as convictions for criminal damage and theft. Garda Gillespie said that Bladek had previously committed an offence while on bail.
The offence for which he is charged carries a possible sentence of five years imprisonment.
In making a bail application on behalf of Bladek, solicitor Mr Rory O’Brien said his client had lived with his mother in Ballybofey for the last 12 years.
He said the charges put to Bladek on July 18 are from a year ago. Bladek, he said, had started employment last week and asked the court to give him ‘a chance’.
Judge Geartty granted bail in the accused’s own bond of €500 together with an independent surety of €500. He is to resident at an address at Glenpatrick Place, commit no further offence and sign on three times a week at Ballybofey Garda station.
Bladek is to observe an 11pm-7am curfew, surrender his passport and must be available to be contacted by Gardaí 24/7.
He was remanded in custody with consent to bail on these terms to appear again on July 29, 2021.