Man facing South Donegal burglary charges remanded in custody
Fermanagh defendant accused of Bundoran and Ballyshannon offences remanded in custody until November 12 at Sligo District Court
A Fermanagh man, accused of a range of offences in Bundoran and Ballyshannon, including theft, burglary, trespassing, and possession of a safety knife, has been remanded in custody following an appearance at Ballyshannon District Court.
Noel Mullane, 54, of Bellanaleck, Derrygonnelly, Fermanagh, appeared before Judge Éiteáin Cunningham at Ballyshannon District Court, where he was accused of three new offences, to add to three other offences he had already been accused of.
The defendant’s new charges include that on March 4, 2026, at Supervalu, Bundoran, he allegedly did have with him a safety knife which had a blade which was sharply pointed, contrary to Section 9(1) and (7) of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act 1990, as amended by Section 39 of the Criminal Justice (Miscellenuous Provisions) Act 2009.
A second offence was that on a date between March 2, 2026, and March 4, 2026, at Ballyshannon Garda Station, he allegedly did, without lawful authority or excuse, possess stolen property, to wit, medals, plaques, and watches knowing that the property was stolen or were reckless as to whether it was stolen, contrary to Section 18 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
Finally, onn a date between March 2, 2026, and March 4, 2026, at Castle Street, Ballyshannon, the defendant allegedly entered part of a building/the curtilage of a building/part of the curtilage of the building, namely, Castle Street, as a trespasser for the purpose of trespassing there, in circumstances giving rise to reasonable inference that such entry and presence was with intent to commit an offence or to unlawfully interfere with any property situate therein, contrary to Section 11 of the Criminal Justice (Public Order) 7
Charges which had been previously mentioned at Ballyshannon District Court includes two charges dating from March 4, 2026: firstly, at Bachelors Walk, Donegal Road, Ballyshannon, he allegedly stole property, to wit, an NYPD baseball cap, a black bodywarmer, and farm documents, contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001, and secondly at Atlantic Apartments, Main Street, Bundoran, as a trespasser, di commit an arrestable offence, to wit, theft, of a handbag, contrary to Section 12(1)(b) and (3) of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
Mullane’s third alleged charge that had been previously mentioned at Ballyshannon District Court is from a date unknown between March 2, 2026 and March 4, 2026, at Castle Street, Ballyshannon, having entered a building as a trespasser, did commit an arrestable offence, to wit, theft therein, contrary to Section 12(1)(b) and (3) of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.
In relation to the new charges, Gardaí told the court that Mullane “made no reply to each charge after caution.”
Defence solicitor Gerry McGovern, acting in relation to the ongoing criminal defence solicitor dispute, said: “We are not in a position to act today.”
Garda Sergeant Oliver Devaney told Judge Cunningham: “DPP (Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions) instructions are for summary disposal of the new sheets.
“We propose that the new matters move to Sligo. There is no application for bail.”
Judge Cunningham then asked Mullane if he was not applying for bail on the new sheets, to which Mullane replied: “No.”
The Judge said: “I will remand in custody to Sligo District Court on November 12, via video link, for jurisdiction.”
Gda Sgt Devaney told Judge Cunningham that “disclosure has been handed over, including CCTV.”
In reference to the next sitting date on November 12, Judge Cunningham told Mullane: “At that point, we are hopeful that you may have legal representation.”