Co Derry man accused of stealing Rolex watch at knifepoint expresses concerns about his safety

A County Derry man who is accused of stealing a Rolex watch at knifepoint has expressed concerns about his personal safety after being remanded in custody this morning.

Padraig Brolly, of Greystone Road, Limavady, appeared via video link before Coleraine Magistrates' Court charged with robbery on April 5.

The 25 year-old is also charged with two counts of possession of Class C drugs on April 6 and possession of fireworks without a licence on the same date.

The court heard that the injured party contacted police on April 5 claiming that his Rolex watch had been stolen from him in Limavady earlier that evening.

The man claimed that he had received a telephone call at around 4pm on Saturday from an individual who had expressed interest in purchasing a Rolex watch he had previously advertised for sale on Facebook.

The injured party claimed that the caller stated that he would buy the watch for £2,500 if it could be delivered to Limavady.

The injured party said he drove from Belfast to a Limavady address provided by the caller however when he arrived, he was asked to travel to other addresses at Edenmore Park and Anderson Park.

The injured party claimed that Brolly got into the front passenger seat of his car and asked him to drive to his mother's home so he could get cash.

The injured party stated that he was given directions however he lost his bearings but believed he was close to Anderson Park.

He claimed that Brolly asked him to see the watch, which the court heard was valued at £2,500, before grabbing it out of his hand.

The injured party claimed he grabbed the watch back before Brolly allegedly pulled out a kitchen knife and told him to let go or he would be stabbed.

The court was told that Brolly then ran off with the watch.

When the injured party contacted police he gave a description of the individual who he said was wearing a grey tracksuit and spoke with a Derry accent.

He stated that he did not know the defendant but claimed that he had told him that was on bail and that he was tagged.

When police attended Brolly's address the following day (Sunday) he admitted to officers that he had Pregabalin and Diazepam tablets in his possession.

A grey tracksuit was also located in the property, the court heard.

During interview, Brolly was vague on his movements the previous day and would not state who or where he had visited.

He denied all knowledge of having a knife and robbing the injured party claiming he did not know anything about a Rolex watch.

Brolly stated that he knew the injured party and had only met him to buy drugs from him.

An investigating officer told the court that police have concerns that Brolly will reoffend if released on bail.

The officer stated that Brolly has 95 previous convictions and police believe that his continuance to use drugs will lead to reoffending.

Brolly's barrister Ben Thompson said his client is insistent that he knows nothing about a Rolex watch and was just there to meet the injured party to purchase drugs.

District Judge Peter King noted that this was Brolly's second court appearance before him in ten days.

He told Brolly that he had breached his bail conditions in respect of the drugs possession adding that he 'takes a dim view of chances being thrown back in the face of the court'.

“You are in the process of spiralling out of control, fuelled by your drug habit,” Judge King said to Brolly, adding that there is a 'clear risk' he will breach his bail again.

After remanding Brolly in custody, the accused, who appeared via video link from Waterside custody suite, asked to speak to the judge.

During the conversation he expressed concerns that his personal safety will be at risk if he is remanded in Maghaberry.

Before walking off, Brolly stated: “I'm going on hunger strike.”