Prisoners charged over having a mobile phone in jail

NINE prisoners were charged yesterday with possession of a mobile phone in jail — the first prosecutions under new laws.

The inmates were all in custody when they appeared in Cloverhill Dublin District Court.

Gardaí told the court that two of the nine had pleaded guilty to the offence of possession of a mobile phone when charged by gardaí. The remainder either had nothing to say when charged or made no reply. One of the inmates was granted bail. Gardaí had no objection to bail in the remaining cases, but applications were not made.

All nine were charged under section 36 of the Prisons Act 2007, which makes the unauthorised possession or use of a mobile phone by prisoners a criminal offence.

At district court level, anyone convicted of the offence faces up to a year in jail, a maximum fine of €5,000, or both.

Judge Ann Ryan was given details of the nine accused.

Jonathan Burke, aged 30, in Cloverhill Prison, is from Ashlawn Court in Bray, Co Wicklow. Detective Garda Denis Kenny of Ronanstown Garda Station said the accused replied “guilty” when he charged him with the offence. He had no objection to bail, but no application for bail was made.

Gerard Cully, aged 21, being held in Cloverhill, is from Casement Grove in Finglas, Dublin. Gda Kenny said the accused had nothing to say when charged. There was no objection to bail and an application was made. Judge Ryan granted bail on a bond of €500.

In the following cases, gardaí had no objection to bail, but no application for bail was made.

Andreas Ogorodnikas, aged 27, in custody in Wheatfield Prison, has an address at Hunters Run, Clonee, Co Meath. Gda Kenny said the Lithuanian national replied “guilty” when charged.

Anthony Ward, aged 25, held in Cloverhill, is of no fixed address. He had nothing to say when charged.

Sean Ward, aged 22, kept in Cloverhill, is from Balcurris Road in Ballymun, Dublin. He had nothing to say when charged.

Gerard Clarke, aged 21, held in Wheatfield, is from Kilcarrig Green in Tallaght, Dublin.Detective Garda Padraic Powell of Ronanstown Garda Station said the accused had nothing to say when charged.

John Harvey, aged 35, in custody in Wheatfield, is from Old Court Park in Bray, Co Wicklow. He gave no reply when charged.

Connor Murphy, aged 25, held in Wheatfield, is from Edgeworth Lawn in Dublin. He had nothing to say when charged.

Nevan Stokes, aged 22, kept in Wheatfield, has an address in Palmerstown, Dublin. He had nothing to say when charged.

Judge Ryan remanded all nine to appear next Wednesday.