Bail denied to Derry man alleged to have committed crime spree that culminated in the attempted murder of police officers
A 25-year-old Derry man alleged to have embarked on a ‘spree of offending’ which culminated in the attempted murder of two police officers has been denied bail.
Caoimhin Gallagher, of no fixed abode. appeared before Derry Magistrates Court today via video link from Magilligan Prison in Co Derry for a bail application.
His ‘crime spree’ is alleged to have begun on January 24 in Cookstown in Co Tyrone and ended in Derry with him driving a stolen car at two police officers in the Waterside on February 5.
Gallagher faces two charges of attempted murder, nine counts of burglary, possessing a Class B controlled drug and three counts of theft.
He is further charged with 17 driving offences including aggravated vehicle taking causing damage and driving when unfit through drink and drugs.
A Public Prosecution Service representative said police had a number of objections to bail, including the fear of reoffending, flight risk and the lack of a suitable bail address.
A police constable described Gallagher as a “priority and prolific offender" who had 48 convictions for an ‘array of offending’ from burglary to road traffic matters.
The police constable told the court the risk of releasing him ‘could be fatal.’ . Defence counsel Eoghan Devlin questioned the length of time it would take before the case was finalised and ready for court.
Mr Devlin said he accepted there was a plethora of offending but little that was ‘particularly taxing to investigate’.
He added if his client was not granted bail, he asked that Deputy District Judge Terence Dunlop not allow any further extensions in the case.
Judge Dunlop shared the sentiments of Mr Devlin, but agreed with the police constable when she expressed ‘massive concerns’ about the defendant.
He added: “I can’t possibly admit him to bail.”
Bail was refused and the case taken to January 5 when the judge asked for a fuller explanation for expediting the matters.