Ballina man charged with Newport youth hostel burglary

Ballina man charged with Newport hostel burglary


A BALLINA father of three appeared before last week’s sitting of Castlebar District Court charged with the burglary of a hostel in Newport.
Declan Hopkins of 5 St Muredech’s Terrace, Ballina, was arrested and charged with the crime last Monday. Mr Hopkins, who is accused of the burglary of the Traenlaur Lodge Youth Hostel at Shramore, Newport, on August 30, 2012, made no reply when the charge was read out to him. 
Superintendent Joe Doherty applied for the defendant to be remanded in custody, citing the seriousness of the crime, but this was objected to by Mr John Gordon, solicitor for Mr Hopkins.
When Judge Mary Devins agreed to remand Mr Hopkins on bail, Supt Doherty asked for conditions to be applied to the bail. These included orders that defendant stay away from Westport and Newport, reside at his current address and enter a curfew from 10pm to 8am.
Mr Gordon said his client would agree to the first two conditions, but he objected to the curfew saying it was going a ‘little far’ for a single burglary charge. Supt Doherty replied that was the one condition he sought because the crime took place during the ‘hours of darkness’.
However, Judge Devins agreed with Mr Gordon and did not impose a curfew. She remanded the defendant on bail to appear before Westport District Court on October 4 for DPP directions and the possibility of further charges.