Man faces trial for taking bus from Letterkenny bus station

A man accused of taking a bus from the Bus Éireann bus station in Letterkenny faces a trial over the incident.

Derek Dunne appeared before Letterkenny District Court this week.

A book of evidence was served on Dunne, a 23-year-old with an address at Markievicz House, Dublin.

Garda Adam Daly of Kilmacrennan Garda Station gave evidence of serving the book of evidence on the accused.

Sergeant Gerard Dalton told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has consented for the accused to be sent forward to the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court, which commences on October 29 next.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham made an order returning Dunne for trial. Judge Cunningham administered the alibi warning and made a section 56 order relating to recordings of interviews.

Dunne is charged that on July 10, 2023 at Bus Éireann Bus Station, Ramelton Road, Letterkenny, he did unlawfully take possession of and use a mechanically propelled vehicle without the consent of the owner, Bus Éireann Transport Company, or without lawful authority.

The charge is contrary to Section 112 of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 (as amended by Section 65 of the Road Traffic Act, 1968, and as amended by Section 18 of the Road Traffic Act, 2006).

Dunne was represented by barrister Mr Damien Crawford BL. Legal aid was granted to solicitor Mr Dan Henry and one legal counsel was assigned.

Bail was granted to Dunne on existing terms.

Dunne also faces a charge of stealing a ticket machine from a Bus Éireann bus at Bus Éireann Bus Station, Ramelton Road, Letterkenny, on June 22, 2023 and with criminal damage to a Citroen Berlingo van belonging to another person, also at the same bus station.