https://www.sundayworld.com/crime/courts/dad-of-two-pulled-a-knife-when-confronted-during-taxi-break-in-crime-spree-court-told/a1777653611.htmlFARE TRIAL | Dad of two ‘pulled a knife when confronted during taxi break-in crime spree,’ court told
According to gardaí, Eoin Wiley (23) smashed windows in a large number of cabs and stole cash and phones from them in a spate of break-ins within a “500-metre radius” of his home address.
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Andrew Phelan
Today at 02:30
A father of two broke into multiple taxis in north Dublin, causing thousands of euro worth of damage and pulling a knife on a man who intervened in the “crime spree”, it is alleged.
According to gardaí, Eoin Wiley (23) smashed windows in a large number of cabs and stole cash and phones from them in a spate of break-ins within a “500-metre radius” of his home address.
Judge Treasa Kelly granted him bail at Dublin District Court despite garda objections and adjourned the case for DPP directions.
Mr Wiley, a father of two from Dún Saithne Crescent, Balbriggan, is charged with more than 25 offences, including criminal damage, theft and producing a weapon.
Objecting to bail, the prosecuting garda said it was alleged Mr Wiley carried out a spate of break-ins to taxis in Balbriggan in March this year.
He said the modus operandi was the same in the majority of cases – the windows were broken and cash was stolen. Mobile phones were also taken.
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The incidents happened within a 500-metre radius of the accused’s home and he was allegedly identified on CCTV in some cases. In one incident, the garda said, an alleged victim heard a car alarm going off in a nearby estate and confronted the accused.
According to the garda, Mr Wiley “pulled a knife” on the man before they both ran off. It was alleged he was identified from his social media page.
Multiple offences were alleged to have happened during a “spree” on dates in March, the garda said.
The garda said around €4,000 worth of damage was caused in total and the value of the thefts was more than €1,000. The judge remarked that this did not include the time a taxi driver would be out of work while their car was being repaired.
Applying for bail, defence solicitor Kate McGhee said Mr Wiley had made no admissions when held.
The alleged offences took place some time ago, Ms McGhee said, so for gardaí to have not sought him earlier, it could not have been deemed that urgent.
On the accused living near the scenes, Ms McGhee said the crime rate in the area was relatively high and a lot of “frequent flyers” would live in the area.
She said the majority of the alleged thefts were coins and it was very likely that the charges would be dealt with at district court level.
Judge Kelly said Mr Wiley was presumed innocent.
She set bail at €500, with an independent surety of €500. Under conditions, the accused must sign on three times per week at Balbriggan garda station and keep a curfew between 11pm and 6am.
He is also to provide gardaí with a phone number at which he is always contactable.
