Man in court accused of €70,000 jewellery theft from Letterkenny store

A man is to stand trial charged with a series of alleged burglaries in Donegal including the theft of more than €70,000 worth of jewellery is to stand trial.

Raimond Florin Lacatos appeared at a sitting of Letterkenny District Court. The 40-year-old accused, with an address at Academy Court in Letterkenny, faces a total of five charges.

Garda Sergeant Jim Collins told the court that the Director of Public Prosecutions had consented for the accused to be sent forward for trial at the next sitting of Letterkenny Circuit Court commencing on May 5.

Detective Garda Cathal Feely told the court he presented a book of evidence in the case to the accused man's solicitor, Mr Rory O'Brien.

All the alleged burglaries are alleged to have happened in Letterkenny over five years from 2018 to 2023.

Lacatos is charged that on May 15, 2018, he entered the Asian Food Store, Drumnahoagh, Letterkenny, as a trespasser and did commit an arrestable offence to wit theft therin.

He is also charged that on June 10, 2018, he entered 19 Riverside Apartments, Pearse Road, Letterkenny, as a trespasser and did commit an arrestable offence to wit theft therein.

He is also charged on September 14, 2018, he entered Mr Chippie Takeaway, Ramelton Road, Letterkenny, as a trespasser and did commit an arrestable offence to wit theft therein.

Lacatos is also charged that on October 30, 2020 he entered 14 Plunkett O'Boyle Road, Letterkenny, as a trespasser and did commit an arrestable offence to wit theft therein.

He is also charged that on March 13, 2023 at Curiosity Corner, Upper Main Street, Letterkenny, having entered a building known as Curiosity Corner, as a trespasser did commit an arrestable offence to wit theft therein.

Judge Emile Daly gave the alibi warning to the accused.

Solicitor for the accused, Mr O'Brien requested legal aid including two counsel for the case considering one of the charges was for the alleged theft of €70,000 of jewellery from Curiosity Corner. Judge Daly adjourned the case and remanded Lacatos in custody until May 5.