Judge has 'no confidence' a man with 265 previous convictions would abide by bail conditions

A judge at Derry Magistrate's Court has said that she has no confidence a man with 265 previous convictions would abide by bail conditions.

John Patrick McGilloway (40) of no fixed abode is charged with the burglary of a business premises stealing hair straighteners valued at £1,400 and £2,800 in cash on April 11 this year.

At a bail application hearing today a police officer said that included in the 265 previous convictions there were 74 burglaries. 

He said police were currently investigating 12 further burglaries 'with the same MO' where the defendant is a suspect in.

The police officer said that there was 'an extremely high risk' of McGilloway re-offending if released.

Defence solicitor Paddy MacDermott said that at present his client is only charged with one commercial burglary.

He said that McGilloway now has an address and could be managed by conditions. 

District Judge Oonagh Mullan said that McGilloway had 'an atrocious record'.

She refused bail and McGilloway will appear again on September 14.