Accused in alleged Westmeath break-ins remanded on bail

A Tipperary man has appeared in court charged in connection to a series of burglaries in county Westmeath over the course of a 48 hour period.

Alan Freeman (22) of Brook Crescent, Clonmel, Tipperary, came before a sitting of Mullingar District Court charged with four alleged break-ins between August 26 and August 28 this year.

The first in time allegedly took place on a date between August 26 and August 27 at Ardnaglew, Kilbeggan, Westmeath.

Three further charges relating to burglaries at Coolalough, Horseleap, Moate, Cooltara, Rosemount, Moate and Lynn Cross, Mullingar were also handed into court concerning alleged break-ins on August 27.

The accused told the court he would ordinarily be represented by Daniel Cahalane of Dublin based law firm BCM solicitors.

Mr Freeman said that prospect was not available to him owing to an ongoing dispute between the criminal defence solicitors and the Department of Justice over reforms to the legal aid scheme.

Judge Owens described that position as “very contradictory” given that another solicitor from the same law firm had already instructed a defence barrister to be present to act on behalf clients for the day’s court proceedings.

Mr Freeman replied, saying he was not able to push his own case any further owing to the fact he had been in garda custody since his arrest on Wednesday morning.

Sgt Orla Keenan, for the State, said directions from the DPP were still awaited, adding there were no garda objections to bail subject to a number of conditions.

Judge Owens remanded the accused on bail subject to those conditions, one of which included an order for Mr Freeman to stay out of Westmeath in its entirety with the exception of designated court appearances.

He is due to reappear at a sitting of Athlone District Court on January 13.