This article is from page 8 of the 2006-04-04 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 8 JPG
A MAN who gardaí say went on a “serious crime spree” over ten days last month has been charged with setting fire to a house in Kilkee.
Patrick McNamara (29), from Miltown Malbay, and of no fixed abode, appeared before Ennis District Court last week, charged with arson, at Lisgreen, Lisdeen, on March 19 last.
He was also charged with entering Lernihan’s Garage in Cree, Kilrush, as a trespasser and stealing a cash till containing €80 in cash on February 20 last. He pleaded guilty to this offence.
Detective Garda Oliver Downes gave evidence of arresting the accused last Wednesday morning. He said McNamara made no reply after caution. Inspector Tom Kennedy requested that the accused be remanded in custody.
In Kilrush court last month, the accused pleaded guilty to trespass, at Kilkee Bay Apartments on March 21 last; trespass at Cunningham’s caravan park, Kilkee, in January and with entering Matt Lernihan’s garage as a trespasser and stealing €36 of petrol at Cree, Kilkee, on March 17 last.
According to gardaí, he gained access to an apartment and caravan in Kilkee and lived there, on different dates. He also admitted driving without insurance at Ennis Road, Kilrush, on March 19. A report relating to these matters will be available to the court later this week.
Inspector Kennedy said the new charge was “substantially more serious.”
Judge Joseph Mangan remanded the accused in custody to appear again in court later this week.