Teen charged over burglaries of elderly Athlone residents appears in court

A 19-year-old who is accused of four recent burglary or theft offences at the homes of elderly residents in Athlone has been remanded in custody after appearing before the town's district court.

Yamen Alhamada, with an address of 17 Warren Grove, Boyle, Roscommon, was before Judge Bernadette Owens for a brief hearing in the case today (Wednesday).

Mr Alhamada was charged with offences at four separate addresses in Athlone between August 30 and September 8.

It's understood that all four properties were occupied by residents in their 70s or 80s at the time of the alleged offences.

The most recent charge facing the defendant is that he committed a burglary at a residence in Cartron Drive while in possession of a five-inch flick knife.

It's alleged that six days earlier, on September 2, he committed a burglary in the Ballykeeran area while in possession of a weapon, "a five-inch flick knife and a car jack".

Mr Alhamada was charged with trespassing at address in Connaught Gardens on September 1, and with attempting to commit a theft of a handbag at the property.

In addition, he is charged with entering a house in Retreat Park on August 30 and committing a theft of a handbag from the house.

The defendant made no reply when the four charges were put to him.

Sergeant Paul McNally told today's sitting of the district court that directions in the case were currently being awaited from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Sergeant McNally sought a four-week adjournment, to await the DPP's directions, and the defendant's solicitor, Tony McLynn, said his client was consenting to a remand in custody for the four-week period.

Judge Owens then adjourned the case to Athlone District Court on October 25 next.