Man on raft of charges in Donegal who showed 'disregard for bail remanded in custody

A man facing several charges including harassing a woman, damaging a car and having a knife in his possession has been remanded in custody.

Francis Lynn was brought before Letterkenny District Court.

A bench warrant was executed on Lynn after he failed to appear for a scheduled hearing in Letterkenny last Friday morning.

Prison officers escorted Lynn to court and he was remanded in custody with Judge Ciaran Liddy noting that the accused man “clearly demonstrates an inability to honour the terms of his bail”.

The 40-year-old faces charges relating to a number of alleged incidents.

He is charged that between September 10, 2019 and August 28, 2020 at Glenveagh Court in Letterkenny he harassed Rebecca Boggs.

He is also charged that on May 22nd, 2022, at Milltown Court in Kilmacrennan, he did have a knife which had a blade which was sharply pointed. This charge was under the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, 1990.

Lynn was also charged that on the same date and address he damaged a blue Honda Accord car belonging to Lennon McDevitt by scratching it.

He was also charged with a breach of the peace on this occasion and at this location.

The accused is also charged that on April 9th, 2022 at Milltown Court, Kilmacrennan, he assaulted Garda Stephen Taylor. This charge is Contrary to Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997.

Lynn is also charged with another breach of the peace on July 5, 2022 at Pearse Road in Letterkenny.

Sergeant Jim Collins said there were objections to bail being granted to Lynn, who he said “conducted a campaign of harassment” against one of the victims. 

The court heard that Lynn was also spotted on CCTV tampering with a fuse box to shut off the electricity supply to a flat while Lynn was also alleged to have obtained personal details, including a work registration number, of a person and wrote it on a sign that was placed on an apartment door.

Sergeant Collins said Lynn was not a flight risk, but said there were concerns over possible interference with witnesses, something that was highlighted by the fact that he accessed personal information and had also sent a note to someone’s parents in which he made “scurrilous allegations”.

He said there were concerns that these offences were committed while Lynn was on bail and there were fears that he could commit further serious offences.

Sergeant Collins said the matters were due before Letterkenny District Court on Friday and Lynn did not appear. 

While Ms Catherine Taaffe, solicitor for Lynn, said that the bench warrant was executed by arrangement in Manorhamilton, Sergeant Collins said the accused man was arrested at his residence and brought before the court. Sergeant Collins accepted that Lynn sent an email to An Garda Síochána, but said it was not correct to say that he “presented himself”.

Sergeant Collins said it was his understanding that there was no attempt by Lynn to alter conditions one his bail. 

He said the State was concerned that Lynn showed “a certain amount of disregard for bail”.

Wearing a navy hoodie, jeans and trainers, Lynn, when asked if he would interfere with any witnesses in his case, replied: “No, not at all. I won’t be interfering with anyone”.

Lynn also handed Judge Liddy a typed letter, which he prepared. 

He said that it was “untrue” that he was arrested at his home address and argued that a High Court bail bond “wrongly” stated that he was to sign on at Ballina Garda Station.

“Please help me,” Lynn said.

Sergeant Collins asked Lynn who he informed of a change of address and Lynn answered that he informed “the guards in Letterkenny and Milford” by email.

Ms Taaffe, who appeared by video link, said the State’s concerns could be dealt with by way of strict bail conditions and said her client could lodge €350. Ms Taaffe said she believed that the matter could be “appropriately dealt with” this year.

Last Friday, Judge Alan Mitchell was told that Lynn said that he was mentally and physically unfit to attend court.

Judge Liddy said that the primary purpose of bail is to allow a person’s liberty, but that liberty is allowed on the basis that the person appears for trial.

“The accused in this case has clearly failed in that regard,” Judge Liddy said. “The matter was set down for hearing last week and Mr Lynn failed to appear when there were seven matters here along with a number of prosecution witnesses. I have heard no valid reason for why he failed to attend.”

Judge Liddy said Lynn “clearly demonstrates an inability to honour the terms of his bail” . For that sole reason, Judge Liddy said he was not granting bail.

Lynn was remanded in custody to appear by video link before another sitting of Letterkenny District Court.