*Ennis Circuit Court. Photograph: John Mangan
A JUDGE has returned a 25-year old Limerick man charged in connection with an estimated €1m+ alleged crime spree in Clare, Limerick and Galway to trial.
At Ennis District Court, Judge Alec Gabbett returned Tyreke Casey Curtin of Caisleán na hAbhann, Castletroy, Limerick for trial in connection with 31 charges that includes seven alleged burglaries at different locations on one day, July 9th 2024.
Two of the charges that Mr Casey Curtin is facing is the alleged €16,000 criminal damage to bar and burglary on July 9th 2024 at the clubhouse of Wolfe Tones GAA in Shannon which is the club of Clare All-Ireland winning senior hurling manager, Brian Lohan.
Already, two co-accused, including a brother of Mr Casey Curtin, Owen Casey are facing trial for their roles in the alleged €1m+ crime spree and are currently remanded in custody pending trial to Ennis Circuit Court and three accused now face a combined 156 charges.
Last July, Eddie Carey (31) of De Vere Court, John Carew Park, Limerick and Owen Casey (28) of Salvia Court, Keyes Park, Southill, Limerick were returned to trial where the two face a combined 125 charges with Mr Casey facing 59 charges and Mr Carey facing 66 charges.
Their trial is listed to commence at Ennis Circuit Court next month.
Garda Emmet Roche gave evidence of serving the three volume Book of Evidence on solicitor, Tara Godfrey who represents Mr Casey Curtin.
Judge Gabbett told Mr Casey Curtin – who has been on remand in custody since early September on the charges – that if an alibi formed any part of his defence he or his solicitor was to provide details to the State Solicitor for Clare in the next 14 days.
Judge Gabbett extended the legal aid certificate for a junior counsel to also represent Mr Casey Curtin at the circuit court.
Judge Gabbett remanded Mr Casey Curtin to appear before Ennis Circuit Court on February 3rd next.
At a contested bail hearing for Mr Casey Curtin last September, Detective Garda Aoife O’Malley of Ennis Garda Station said that it is believed that the monetary value of vehicles and property stolen or damaged by Mr Casey Curtin and his co-accused is “well in excess of €1m”.
Det Garda O’Malley alleged that the three accused before the courts, including Mr Casey Curtin are suspected to be involved in the unauthorised taking of high value vehicles, including Audi and BMW models for a criminal network for financial gain.
Acting Detective Insp Noel Barry said that the three suspects are co-accused of targeting 31 commercial premises, 24 residential properties and 37 unauthorised takings of cars which is “dozens of alleged injured parties”.
