A BURGLAR who admitted raids on homes in Co Donegal has been released on bail, despite objections from Gardai.
Michael Ward, 24, of no fixed abode and originally from Dublin, had been jailed for 15 months yesterday.
He had 67 previous convictions and was the subject of 20 arrest warrants during an extensive criminal career.
He had earlier pleaded guilty to possession of the proceeds from one burglar and intending to commit a second burglary. He was armed with a knife and a screwdriver at the time he was caught on March 4 this year in Buncrana.
His brother Thomas, 19, who was already in custody, admitted his role in a crime spree in the town on the same date. He will be sentenced in June.
Yesterday afternoon however solicitor Patsy Gallagher applied for bail for Michael Ward.
He said Ward’s mother was prepared to put up an independent €1,500 surety; and his client was willing to pay bail of €1,000.
Inspector David Murphy and Garda Michael Hooks raised objections to the granting of bail.
Garda Hooks, whose work with other officers had led to the detention of the Ward brothers, outlined the fact that 20 bench warrants had been issued in the past for Michael Ward.
However the solicitor said the judge had already agreed to allow a bail application – so that Ward can appeal against his prison sentence – and that the bail money had been raised.
Judge Paul Kelly rose from the bench to consider the case; returning later to say that whilst he could refuse bail, he was granting it in the case.
He warned Ward’s mother that a failure by his son to appear before the court on July 16 would lead to the loss of the surety.
Ward was freed on bail to stay at an address in Buncrana.
Our earlier court report on the Ward brothers is here: