Julie McCartney appearing at Buncrana District Court today. Pic by Northwest Newspix.
Julie McCartney (31) appeared today at Buncrana District Court where new charges were brought against her on which the State wishes to send her forward for trial in the Circuit Court, following the completion and service of a book of evidence.
Inspector Denis Joyce made an application to withdraw three charges, two burglaries and one of criminal damage, previously brought against the defendant who has been in custody for nine weeks.
Garda Patrick Cunningham gave evidence of charging McCartney with the new offences at this morning’s court.
Her reply to each charge after caution was ‘no comment’, Judge Paul Kelly heard.
The first of the new charges brought against McCartney, of Ashmore House, Edenmore Court in Derry is handling stolen property at Sea Breeze Apts, Shroove, Greencastle, on November 4 and 5, 2018.
The stolen property she was found to be in possession of was four horse bridles, 13 harnesses, ten reins and one horse saddle.
McCartney has also been charged with arson at Lenamore Stables, Derryvane, Muff on November 4 causing damage to the value of €250,000, including a Scania Lorry, two pedigree horses, adjoining stables and contents.
Inspector Joyce made an application to remand the defendant in custody with consent to bail on the same conditions set out in Cloverhill High Court on December 4, 2018 which included a €20,000 cash bail.
Applying for bail, Solicitor, Mr Ray Lannon told the court that his client was a mother of two children with special needs whom she hadn’t seen in nine weeks and had no previous convictions.
Judge Kelly noted that bail had previously been refused on the basis of possible intimidation of witnesses and flight risk as the defendant is not resident in the State.
Mr Lannon told the court that his client had an address with a friend in Castlederg, Co Tyrone where she could stay and therefore would not be near any witnesses.
The stables at Muff, Co Donegal
Judge Kelly remanded McCartney in custody, with consent to bail on the High Court conditions, to appear before Letterkenny District Court by video link on Monday, January 14.
Last week, a Derry man was released from custody after charges against him, in connection with an arson at a stable yard in Inishowen, were dropped.
Two horses, including a pedigree showjumping horse worth more than €100,000, were killed in the blaze.
Gerard Given, of Circular Road in Derry, was charged with making threats to the owner of the stables, Ms Geraldine Graham on October 15th last that he would damage her property.
The 27-year-old was being held at Castlerea Prison, but the Director of Public Prosectution (DPP) directed that all charges against him are to be withdrawn.
Given appeared at Letterkenny District Court via videolink for a brief hearing.
After hearing the verdict, Given said: “Thank you very much.”
As he rose from his seat, a jubilant ‘yes!’ was audible from Given.
A woman in her 20s, who works at the stables, was hurt and was treated for burns and smoke inhalation.
Those who arrived on the scene managed to save five other horses from the blaze.
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