Arrest warrants have been issued for two Castleblaney men who were convicted in their absence of handling a car which was stolen in the Republic of Ireland.
Court heard that, after receiving information from An Garda Síochána, police located the defendants attempting to fix the tyre of a vehicle which was alleged stolen from a property across the border a short time earlier.
Mark Duffy, 37, of Bree, and Patrick Maguire, 45, of Drumillard, were convicted in their absence of handling property stolen in the Republic of Ireland, when the case came before Armagh Magistrates’ Court, sitting at Newry, on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Duffy had previously indicated guilty please to driving with excess alcohol, driving whilst disqualified and using a vehicle without insurance.
Proving the case, prosecution outlined that on February 22 police were informed by An Garda Síochána regarding two males who had threatened an elderly couple at their address in the Republic of Ireland before making off with their car.
At 12.55am, police on patrol in the Culloville area had their attention drawn to two men attempting to change a tyre on a car matching the same description, namely a Skoda Yeti.
Officers detected a smell of alcohol coming from both men and after inquires, Duffy admitted to being the driver.
A preliminary breath test was conducted resulting on a fail, with an evidential sample obtained in custody giving a reading of 75mg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. It was also later established that Duffy was a disqualified driver.
Both men were arrested and during interview at Banbridge Custody Suite made no comment.
District Judge Bernie Kelly convicted both men of the offences before the court and warrants were made for their arrest, with Duffy disqualified pending sentence.
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