Longford District Court: Legal aid application ‘not your average statement of means scenario’

The solicitor of a woman accused of theft of over €50,000 from her former employer over a 14 year period has asked to have a legal aid application deferred as it was “not your average statement of means scenario”.

Garda Eamon Fitzpatrick gave evidence of serving the Book of Evidence on Una Bratten (68) of Kiltyreher, Carriglass, Longford on the morning of the District Court sitting.

Ms Bratten was before Judge Bernadette Owens on 21 sample charges relating to the alleged theft from a Longford Cash and Carry between 2004 and 2018.

The defendants faces charges that: on 18 May, '18 at McCarrick Cash and Carry, Athlone Road, Longford stole property two cases of Budweiser €61.36, on May 16, 2018 she took toilet roll to the value of €35.99, on May 16 2018 she took cash the the value €1,000 and tinfoil costing €8.55.

It is alleged that on May 7, 2018 she took a case of Barry's Tea costing €40, on May 4, 2018 she took a hamper valued at €100, on April 25, 2018 the theft of sugar valued at €6.50, on April 23, 2018 she took wine €58.42.

Further charges are that on July 20, 2017 Ms Bratten took cash to the value if €1,347.40, on October 4, 2016 she took €2,699.87 in cash, on February 25, 2015 cash to the value of €2,039.22 was taken, and on May 15, 2014 she took €1,702.86 in cash.

The defendant is also charged with stealing property to the value of €28,341.76 on August 15, 2013, on March 14, 2012 taking €1,377.31 in cash, on December 14, 2011 the theft of cash to the value of €1,700.76, on August 9, 2010 taking cash €1,405.26, and on July 7, 2009 she stole property to the value of €1,554.23.

Other charges are that on May 18, 2009 cash of €1,193.76 was taken, on December 23, 2008 €1,847.69 in cash was taken, on September 18, 2007 cash valued at €1,036.95 was taken.

The remaining charges are that on July 18, 2006 €1,457.32 in cash was taken and the final charge was that on June 23, 2004 cash valued at €1,633 was stolen.

Sergeant Mark Mahon said the Director of Public Prosecution was seeking to have the matter returned for trial on July 9, on the 21 charges.

Solicitor Tim Kennelly said there was an issue with previous DPP direction and the disclosure of evidence in the case.

Judge Bernadette Owens accepted there was a contradiction between a previous judge's note on the charge sheet and the DPP's direction, however the judge said she would finalise the return for trial in the Circuit Court.

Mr Kennelly asked the judge to defer a legal aid application as he said it was “not your average statement of means scenario”.

Having issued Ms Bratten with an alibi warning Judge Owens sent the defendant forward for trial on her own bond of €10,000.