A man has appeared in Letterkenny District Court this week in connection with multiple thefts.
Raymond Lacatos, a 38-year-old man with no fixed abode, was charged with stealing cash and cigarettes valued at over €6,000.
Detective Garda Cathal Feely provided evidence of Lacatos’ arrest, charge, and caution. Lacatos spent the weekend in Garda custody before being brought to court on Monday.
A Romanian interpreter was present in court to assist Lacatos.
Gardai objected to bail due to the nature and degrees of seriousness of the offences Lacatos has been charged with. Gardai told the court that they believed Lacatos to be a flight risk.
On May 15, 2018, Lacatos was observed smashing the front glass door of Asian Foods before removing the till and cash box, containing a total of €5,000.
Lacatos is also charged with the theft of 18 packets of cigarettes, valued at €90, from Riverside View Apartments on June 10, 2018.
He faces further charges of forcing open the cash register and taking €870 from Mr Chippie on September 14, 2018 and of the theft of €170 of cash from a private residence at Plunkett O’Boyle Road on October 30, 2020.
In two of the incidents, Lacatos was identified from DNA. Fingerprint evidence was used to identify the accused in another while he was identified on CCTV committing the other theft.
Lacatos made no admissions to Gardai when interviewed.
The court heard that he has one previous conviction for burglary, for which he received a nine-month prison sentence in Sligo in 2018.
Solicitor for the accused, Mr Rory O’Brien, said his client has no history of bench warrants and said he would comply with a curfew and any conditions the court would impose.
Detective Garda Feely, when asked by Mr O’Brien about the delay in arresting Lacatos, said ‘every effort’ had been made to locate him in the intervening period.
Sergeant Gerard Dalton said the Gardai would have to be given ‘definite proof’ of an address that was acceptable to the State before bail could be granted. He said one of the main predicaments in the case was where Lacatos is living.
A warrant was executed at an address given by the accused, but Gardai were told that the defendant was not welcome there.
Judge Éiteáin Cunningham said that Lacatos could only take up bail if the State was satisfied with any address given.
Lacatos was remanded in custody with consent to bail and is due to appear again before Letterkenny District Court on May 8.
Should the accused be able to take up his bail, a number of conditions were attached including that he not apply for a duplicate passport or apply for any travel documents; that he be available 24/7 on mobile telephone for contact by Gardai; that he reside at a given address; that he sign on twice a week at a Garda station; that he commit no further offence and be of good behavior; and that he observe a curfew between 7am-10pm.