Alleged €1m crime spree and damage to Brian Lohan's club: Limerick man appears in court
Gordon Deegan
A 25-year-old Limerick man has appeared in court charged in connection with an estimated €1 million alleged crime spree in Clare, Limerick, and Galway.
At a special sitting of Ennis District Court, Tyreke Casey Curtin of Caisleán na hAbhann, Castletroy, Limerick appeared in connection with 30 charges that include seven alleged burglaries at different locations on one day, July 9th 2024.
Two of the charges that Mr Casey Curtin is facing is the alleged €16,000 criminal damage to bar and burglary at the clubhouse of Wolfe Tones GAA in Shannon which is the club of Clare All-Ireland winning senior hurling manager, Brian Lohan.
Already, two co-accused, including a brother of Mr Casey Curtin, Owen Casey are facing trial for their roles in the alleged €1 million crime spree and were remanded in custody pending trial to Ennis Circuit Court and three accused now face a combined 155 charges.
In July, Eddie Carey (31) of De Vere Court, John Carew Park, Limerick and Owen Casey (28) of Salvia Court, Keyes Park, Southill, Limerick were returned to trial where the two face a combined 125 charges with Mr Casey facing 59 charges and Mr Carey facing 66 charges.
At a contested bail hearing for Mr Casey Curtin on Saturday afternoon at the special sitting of Ennis District Court, Detective Garda Aoife O’Malley of Ennis Garda Station said that it is believed that the monetary value of vehicles and property stolen or damaged by Mr Casey Curtin and his co-accused is “well in excess of €1m”.
Det Garda O’Malley alleged that the three accused before the courts, including Mr Casey Curtin are suspected to be involved in the unauthorised taking of high value vehicles, including Audi and BMW models for a criminal network for financial gain.
Solicitor for Mr Casey Curtin, Tara Godfrey told the bail hearing that her client will agree to any bail conditions including signing-on and curfews.
Ms Godfrey said that Mr Casey Curtin’s mother has offered €1,500 from her post office book for bail surety.
Ms Godfrey said that her client was arrested by Gardai last Wednesday morning.
She said that it is not reasonable to deprive Mr Casey Curtin of his liberty stating that he is accused of a much lesser role than his two co-accused.
Acting Detective Insp Noel Barry said that the three suspects are co-accused of targeting 31 commercial premises, 24 residential properties and 37 unauthorised takings of cars which is “dozens of alleged injured parties”.
Det Insp Barry said that Mr Casey Curtin is charged with 17 handling stolen property offences, seven burglaries, five criminal damage charges and one possession of stolen property.
Det Insp Barry did not put a monetary value on the charges relating to Mr Casey Curtin.
Det Insp Barry said that it is a complex case with multiple streams of evidence in relation to it.
Det Insp Barry said that a supplementary file will be submitted to the DPP on Mr Casey Curtin as soon as possible “so we expect early directions in the matter”.
Judge Carol Anne Coolican stated that Mr Casey Curtin is facing “serious charges”.
Judge Coolican refused bail and remanded Mr Casey Curtin in custody to re-appear before Ennis District Court via video link this Wednesday, September 10th for DPP directions.
