A man appeared at Ennis District Court yesterday on charges of damaging Garda patrol cars and driving a vehicle without the owner's consent. Mr Patrick Payne (42), of no fixed address but from Cork, faced 11 charges before Judge Joseph Mangan. These included driving without a licence or insurance, handling two stolen registration number plates and failing to stop for gardai.
The charges allege that he took a car on August 6th at Clonbullogue, Tullamore, Co Offaly, without the consent of Mr Thomas Fennelly. The offences were alleged to have taken place on August 26th in Kilkee, Miltown Malbay and Inagh, Co Clare.
Garda John Kelly, Kilrush, gave evidence of arresting and charging the accused at Ennis Garda station. Mr Payne was remanded in custody to a special sitting of Ennis District Court on August 29th. Mr Payne was granted free legal aid.