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A man charged with aggravated burglary at the home of west Sligo farmer Tom Niland, told a sitting of Sligo District Court today that the High Court had approved bail in his case.
John Clarke,(33), of Carrowkelly, Ballina, Co Mayo who appeared by video link from Castlerea prison told his solicitor Mark Mullaney that the High Court had approved bail subject to conditions.
Apparently unaware of the development up until that point, Mr Mullaney asked Judge Sandra Murphy if she would remand Mr Clarke for a week given the circumstances.
The accused is one of three men charged with aggravated burglary at the home of Mr Niland (73) at Doonflynn, Skreen, Co Sligo, on January 18th last.
At a previous sitting of Sligo District Court Judge Deirdre Gearty had refused to grant bail after hearing submissions from Gardaí.
Judge Murphy was told at Thursday’s sitting that the Garda investigation was at an advanced state and that a file would be forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions “fairly soon”.
Remanding Mr Clarke in custody for a further week , Judge Murphy said confirmation in the meantime of any High Curt order would supersede the District Court ruling.
Mr Mullaney asked that his client be brought in person before Sligo District Court on April 28th.
Also appearing before Sligo District Court on Thursday via video link from Castlerea prison was Francis Harmon(54) of Nephin Court, Killala Road, Ballina, Co Mayo who is facing the same charge of aggravated burglary at Mr Niland’s home on January 18th.
Mr Mullaney, representing Mr Harmon’s solicitor Peter Loftus , asked for an adjournment for a week to allow the accused make a bail application in the District Court.
Judge Murphy further remanded the accused in custody to April 28th when he is due to appear in person at Sligo District Court.