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Man remanded in custody over 'numerous burglaries'

BBC Bishop Street Courthouse BBC
Maurice O'Shea, 34, of Westland Street in Londonderry was charged with a series of burglaries at commercial premises in the city

A man has been remanded in custody after appearing before Londonderry Magistrates' Court over a series of burglaries at commercial premises in the city.

Maurice O'Shea, 34, of Westland Street in Derry was charged with the burglary of a cafe at St Augustine's Church on 7 May.

He was also charged with two burglaries in the Pickled Duck restaurant on 16 and 17 March.

Mr O'Shea was further charged with a burglary at the Walled City Brewery on 20 March and stealing an electronic tag on 30 April.

On Friday, a police officer connected the accused to the charges and opposed bail.

The court was told that two males were seen acting suspiciously outside St Augustine's and there were signs of a break-in with damage to a door.

A red brick old style building, formerly a school now used as a church hall. it is made of red brick with five large windows. An arch can be seen with the lettering St Augustines Church
St Augustine's Church on the city's walls – thought to be the site of a 6th Century monastery - was broken into at about 22:30 BST on Wednesday

Broke door with a rock

Police identified the defendant as one of the individuals and believed he had been involved in other burglaries in the city.

The court also heard that CCTV at the Pickled Duck restaurant showed someone breaking a door with a rock and entering the premises on two occasions on 16 and 17 March.

The police officer said that forensic evidence from the restaurant linked the defendant to the offence.

Evidence also linked the defendant to a break-in at the Walled City Brewery, where DNA material was found.

The court was told that Mr O'Shea had been a resident in the city for two years and was originally from Limerick in the Republic of Ireland.

The officer said that Mr O'Shea had no record in Northern Ireland, but she had no information from the Republic.

Bail opposed

Bail was opposed due to the risk of reoffending as police believed the defendant had been involved in "numerous burglaries".

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said his client had no record in this jurisdiction and that these were "serious charges" that would inevitably end up in the Crown Court.

He said that Mr O'Shea had links to the city as his sister lived here.

District Judge Ted Magill said there appeared to be "overwhelming evidence against the defendant" and added that he was not suitable for bail.

Mr O'Shea was remanded in custody to appear again on 29 May.