A second Co Clare man accused of the robbery of Carrigaholt Post Office in west Clare in January has signed a guilty plea to the robbery.
At Ennis District Court on Wednesday, Darragh Pender (30) of Dun na hInse, Ennis signed a guilty plea to robbing Maura McKiernan, the post-mistress at An Post Carrigaholt, The Square, Carrigaholt of cash, coins and a cheque to the value of €8,944.63, contrary to Section 14 of the Criminal justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 on January 21st.
Mr Pender – who is currently on bail – confirmed to Judge Adrian Harris that he has availed of legal advice before signing the guilty plea and is aware of the implications of signing the guilty plea.
Mr Pender signing the guilty plea follows co-accused Darren Cassidy (38) of Lifford Mews, Lifford, Ennis signing a guilty plea to the alleged robbery last week in court.
Mr Pender will now go forward to the circuit court where he will affirm his guilty plea at a later date.
Today in court, Mr Pender faced three new charges in connection with the alleged robbery of the Carrigaholt Post Office.
Mr Pender is charged with three counts of dangerous driving a 10D vehicle at three locations in west Clare on January 21st last at Cahermurphy, Kilmihil, Cree village and Doonbeg village.
In evidence of arrest, charge and caution, Det Garda Deirdre Collins said that Mr Pender made no reply after charge and caution.
Solicitor, John Casey for Mr Pender said that the new charges follow the circuit court robbery charge and can be adjourned to after the circuit court case and Judge Harris adjourned those matters to October.
Two co-accused of Mr Pender also appeared in court today.
Sgt John Burke said that Martin Downes (36) of Seafield Park, Quilty will be required to be brought before court next week for further charges.
Mr Downes has been on remand in custody at Limerick prison since January 23rd and does have consent to bail but has been unable to take up bail.
Solicitor, Tara Godfrey for Mr Downes said today that “I understand that there are certain straws in the wind about that”.
Ms Godfrey said that Mr Downes has been assaulted while in prison “and there are now a lot of efforts to have him released on that bail”.
Ms Godfrey said that “today is Day 43 for the serving of a Book of Evidence and there were some discussions on signed pleas or not and nothing has come of that”.
Judge Harris further remanded Mr Downes in custody with consent to bail to appear at Ennis District Court next Wednesday.
Co-accused, Michael McMahon (38) of Plunkett Drive, Kilkishen appeared via video-link today and Judge Harris further remanded Mr McMahon in custody for the serving of a Book of Evidence next week.
Mr McMahon and Mr Downes are also charged with the robbery on January 21st at Carrigaholt post office.
At a contested bail hearing in January, Sgt Shane Graham told the court that it is the Garda belief that the four men before the court charged with robbery were part of a four person joint enterprise “who acted in concert and colluded in order to carry out a cold and calculated robbery”.
Opposing bail for the four, Sgt Graham said that it will be alleged that the four member strong gang “involved two getaway drivers and two members of the gang that entered the premises where the post mistress was violently and viciously assaulted with iron bars by both males”.
