Bail refused for man caught driving stolen Range Rover in Donegal

A man caught in Donegal driving a vehicle that was stolen from Northern Ireland on Monday evening has been remanded in custody.

Thomas Byrne has been charged with a number of offences.

Byrne, a 45-year-old of no fixed abode, was brought before Letterkenny District Court later in the week following his arrest on Monday. 

Byrne was apprehended by gardai at Rathinney Glebe, Ballintra.

Byrne was charged with handling stolen property, to wit, a white Range Rover Evoque, knowing that the property was stolen or were reckless as to whether it was stolen. The charge is contrary to section 17 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.

He was also charged with dishonestly making off without paying for €70.03 worth of diesel from Centra, Assaroe Road, Ballyshannon, a charge contrary to section 8 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act, 2001.

Byrne was charged with dangerous driving at Cavan Gardens, Ballyshannon, contrary to section 53 (1) of the Road Traffic Act, 1961 as substituted by section 4 of the Road Traffic (No.2) Act, 2011.

These offences all relate to April 28, 2025.

The accused has also been charged with stealing goods to the value of €643.13 from Homesavers, Saimer Court Shopping Centre, Ballyshannon on January 24, 2025.

Among the items taken were six throws, two rugs, a superhero mask, four Hot Wheel cars, four Matchbox cars, a folding dryer rack, four packets of batteries, three Pokemon watch gifts, 11 Princess watch gifts, one Heat and Eat burger maker, one Heat and Eat sausage roll maker and three tins of emulsion paint.

Sergeant Jim Collins objected to bail.

Byrne was represented by his solicitor, Mr Rory O’Brien.

Mr O’Brien made an application for bail on behalf of his client.

Judge Éiteáin Cunningham refused bail and remanded him to appear at a later court sitting.