Bail refused to men allegedly involved in drug-debt attacks on Mayo houses

TWO men with Dublin addresses have been refused bail at Castlebar District Court following objections by the State regarding witnesses interference concerns.

Marcel Szpajda (24) of Golden Ridge Close, Skerries Road, Rush, Dublin, and Berbey Elobo (26) of Hamilton Terrace, Balbriggan, Dublin, appeared at the sitting charged with criminal damage and trespassing.

Both defendants are also alleged to have been involved in intimidation and criminal damage in respect of drug-debts.

Two other defendants - Patrick Hegarty (19) of Derryveeney, Tourmakeady and Alex Coyne (18) of Tonrahan West, Westport - were charged with criminal damage when they appeared before Judge Sandra Murphy in relation to the same incidents which saw alleged attacks on private houses in Westport, Newport and Fahy on the night of January 4 and morning of January 5 last.

The court heard the attacks related to alleged drug debts owed.

One of the teenagers was released on bail while the second will be released on bail when he can provide the court with an address.

His case will now be heard at tomorrow's (Wednesday) sitting of Castlebar District Court.

Legal argument on behalf of the Dublin defendants argued that their clients were willing to abide by any conditions in relation to their bail, including an undertaking to stay out of Mayo and abide by whatever curfew or other restrictions the court deemed necessary as well as submitting their passports.

However, Judge Sandra Murphy ruled on the basis of the objections from the State, the seriousness of the charges they faced and the strong possibility of interference with witnesses involved in the case.

Consequently, she was unwilling to grant bail in the circumstances.

Both were remanded to Ballina District Court this Friday, January 9, to appear by video link.

All four defendants faced four charges of criminal damage which related to the breaking of windows in houses situated in Westport, Newport and the village of Fahy, outside Westport.

Mr. Dermot Morahan, solicitor for both Hegarty and Coyne, said his clients would abide by all the bail conditions laid down by the court.

However, he said in the case of Coyne, no current address could be provided for him.

But he was hoping to have one by the following day and he was remanded in custody with consent to bail to Wednesday’s sitting of Castlebar District Court.

Mr. Diarmuid Connolly, BL, who appeared for Elobo, said the defendant’s mother was present in court and willing to sign a bail bond.

However, Judge Murphy was unwilling to grant bail given the seriousness of the charges and the strong objections by the State.

Bail was also refused on the same grounds to Szpajda following the application by his counsel, Ms. Neasa O’Callaghan.

Both Szpajda and Elobo face a charge of trespassing along with the four charges relating to criminal damage.

*Published under the Courts Reporting Scheme.