TWO of the three Romanians, charged last week with handling items stolen from graves in Lackagh cemetery, were remanded to appear again next Wednesday when they appeared before Galway District Court yesterday.
Last Thursday, Crisa Rostas (30) and Marian Lingurar (35), of Loughgeorge, Claregalway, were refused bail, while a third (16), who cannot be named for legal reasons, was granted bail with conditions.
Lingurar appeared before Harristown District Court, attached to Castlerea Prison, the following day, while both his co-accused were assisted by an interpreter when they came before Judge Mary Fahy yesterday.
They are all charged with handling stolen graveside ornaments – namely a harp with angel, statue of OurLady, a while angel statue, an angel and candle statue, and a harp and chime statue – at their home on Tuesday, October 4. When charged, Rostas replied: “I did not steal them” Lingurar said: “the goods were not stolen” and the juvenile made no reply.
Garda Fergal Kilbane told the court on Thursday that 12 injured parties had already been identified from the 31 items stolen from Lackagh graveyard – found in bedrooms, the kitchen, and over the television at the Loughgorge address – and that there were likely to be more victims. Photos were handed into court.
“I can’t put a value on them, but they they have caused widespread grief to the community in Lackagh, which is half a mile from where they live,” Garda Kilbane said, adding that the fingerprints have been sent to Interpol to verify their identities.
At yesterday’s brief hearing, Inspector Ernie Whyte advised Judge Mary Fahy that DPP directions were not yet available and requested that the defendants be further remanded.
Before being remanded in custody to appear again on October 26, solicitor for Rostas, Sarah O’Dowd, indicated that her client had made an application for bail to the High Court.
Meanwhile, the youth was remanded on continuing bail to appear before the juvenile court on October 20.
His solicitor, Greg Nolan, advised Judge Fahy that his client had been served an eviction notice, and that he would be seeking an amendment to two of the conditions attached to his client’s bail – namely his address, and signing-on details. He was advised to contact Garda Kilbane with these changes.
