*A significant Garda investigation has compiled a report of 200 pages with 180 witness statements.
A SENIOR Garda has told a court that an estimated €1m in value in property has been allegedly stolen or damaged in a spate of burglaries across Limerick, Clare and Galway.
At Ennis District Court, Det Sgt John Casey said that the “significant Garda investigation” concerns the alleged burglary of 31 commercial premises, 24 residential properties and also concerns 37 unauthorised takings of vehicles.
He said that there are 69 alleged injured parties.
Det Sgt Casey said that a Garda report into the investigation comes to 200 pages and also comprises 180 witness statements.
Det Sgt Casey provided the investigation update to court where one accused man, Eddie Carey (31) concerning the overall Garda investigation is charged with 24 burglaries at premises across Clare, Limerick and Galway.
Det Sgt Casey said that one Garda and a Garda sergeant are working full time on a file to be sent to the DPP.
Det Sgt Casey said that Gardaí hope to shortly lodge the file with the DPP and make a presentation to the DPP when the file is lodged.
Eddie Carey has been on remand in custody since January 19th after he was refused bail.
After hearing Det Sgt Casey’s evidence, Judge Alec Gabbett said that it is apparent that “remarkable progress” has been made by the Gardaí in the case.
Mr Carey is facing 46 charges overall and in one of the charges, Mr Carey is charged with burglary at Wolfe Tones GAA Club in Shannon.
On one day alone on February 2nd 2024, Mr Carey of De Vere Court, John Carew Park, Limerick is facing burglary charges concerning seven separate premises – Carry Out, Drumgeely, Shannon; Subway restaurant, Shannon; High Maintenance, Limerick Rd, Ennis; Remix, Limerick Rd, Ennis; Tech Station, Killaloe; Corbally Centre, Corbally Rd, Limerick and Inver, Ennis Rd, Limerick.
Mr Carey is facing the burglary charge against Wolfe Tones where he is accused of trespassing at the Shannon GAA clubhouse on July 9th last and committing theft contrary to Section 12 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
On the same date, Mr Carey is accused of committing burglaries at Hair Symphony, Clarinbridge, Galway, Day Break, Crusheen and Gala Chinese, Castle Street, Oranmore, Co Galway.
On another date on July 5th last, Mr Carey is accused of carrying out burglaries at five premises – The Electronic Store, Market Square, Scarriff; Rogers Bar, Main Street, Scariff; Newcastle West Mobile Zone, Newcastle West; Gadget Fix, Main Street, Adare and Poinaire, Main Street, Adare.
In total, Mr Carey is facing 46 separate charges that comprise of 24 burglary charges, 17 handling charges, four charges concerning the unauthorised taking of cars and one charge where he is accused of having in his possession two vehicle unlocking and starter devices.
The charge states that the two unlocking devices were in Mr Carey’s possession at his address on September 17th last and the devices were made or adapted for the use in the authorised taking of vehicles.
Judge Gabbett further remanded Mr Carey in custody to appear via video-link from Limerick prison at Ennis District Court to March 19th next.
