Four men appear in court accused of intimidating Mayo families over drug debts

TWO Dublin men were remanded in custody after it is alleged they travelled to Mayo to intimidate the families of young people who have a drug debt.

Marcel Szpajda (24) of Golden Ridge Close, Skerries Road, Rush, Dublin and Berbey Elobo (26) of Hamilton Terrace, Balbriggan, Co Dublin appeared before today's sitting of Castlebar District Court where they were each charged with four counts of criminal damage and one count of trespass.

It is alleged that the two defendants along with two other men, smashed the windows of four private homes in Westport, Newport and Fahy late on Sunday, January 4 before they were apprehended hiding under a prefabricated building on the Lodge Road in Westport.

Two co-accused, Patrick Hegarty (19) of Derryveeney, Tourmakeady and Alex Coyne (18) of Tonaraha West, The Demnese, Westport were also charged with four counts of criminal damage.

The four men were all brought before Judge Sandra Murphy after they were charged with the offences late on Monday, January 5.

Sergeant Noel Crinnegan explained that the State were objecting to Mr Szpajda being released on bail. In outlining his reasons for objecting, he described Mr Szpajda as the 'main player' who was the 'instigator' and 'facilitor' and organised the allegations of criminal damage and intimidation from 'start to finish'.

Sgt Crinnegan said that the victims of the criminal damage claimed they were targeted to intimidate them because of a drug debt incurred by a member of their household. He explained that a person whose family home was targeted had a drug debt of €7,000.

Judge Murphy was informed that it is alleged that the first house in Tubberhill, Westport was targeted at 8.35pm on January 4 with windows broken. The next incident occurred at 9.25pm in Doogary, Newport where windows were smashed and 15 minutes later a home in Fahy, Westport was targeted with three windows smashed.

Following the incident in Fahy, the occupants of the house gave chase to a car seen leaving the scene towards Westport and this car turned into a cul de sac. The occupants fled across a field on foot and Gardaí recovered the abandoned car.

Gardaí later stopped a second car where Mr Coyne and Mr Hegarty were detected and they were arrested.

At 12.30am on January 5, two males were observed running from Ryan's Steelworks on the Lodge Road towards the N5. A further search of the area took place and Mr Szpajda and Mr Elobo were found hiding under a pre-fab in Ryan's Steelworks. Both men were arrested and were later charged by Gardaí.

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In objecting to a bail application against Mr Szpajda, Sgt Crinnegan said it was the belief of gardaí that the incidents of criminal damage were to intimidate the families and that the intimidation would continue if he is released on bail. He described him as an enforcer for a criminal gang and would continue to pursue the drug debts even if he is released on strict conditions.

Sergeant Stephen Kenny also objected to bail for Mr Elobo saying he believes he will try to intimidate witnesses in this case and there was a fear he would not abide by bail conditions.

Mr Diarmuid Connolly, counsel for Mr Elobo and Ms Neasa O'Callaghan, counsel for Mr Szpajda said their clients were willing to adhere to strict bail conditions but Judge Murphy refused bail due to the seriousness of the charges and the allegations against the men were strong.

Bail was granted to Mr Hegarty who agreed to stay out of Westport and obey a curfew and have no contact with any of the witnesses or the co-accussed persons.

Mr Coyne was also granted bail but his solicitor Dermot Morahan said he would not be able to take up his bail as he had no place to stay.

Mr Szpajda and Mr Elobo were remanded in custody to appear before Friday's sitting of Ballina District Court for DPP directions while Mr Coyne is due to appear before tomorrow's sitting of Castlebar District Court on January 7.

Mr Hegarty was remanded on bail to appear before Castlebar District Court on February 18 for DPP directions.