Book of evidence served in Shatter break-in case

A father of one charged over a burglary at the home of Justice Minister Alan Shatter was served with a book of evidence yesterday and sent forward for trial.

Darragh Heavey, aged 25, is accused of trespassing at Mr Shatter’s house at Delbrook Manor, Ballinteer, in Co Dublin, with intent to commit theft of two watches of unknown value, belonging to Mr Shatter, on Mar 18.

Cloverhill District Court heard that Mr Heavey, of Moeran Rd, Walkinstown, Dublin, was being sent forward for trial.

Mr Heavey, who appeared in court wearing a striped T-shirt and grey tracksuit bottoms, had first been refused bail. However, he was released from custody last month after he was granted High Court bail on Apr 2.

Judge David McHugh made an order sending Mr Heavey forward for trial on indictment at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, the next term of which begins next month. The judge remanded him on the same bail conditions going forward.

Mr Heavey was also told by Judge McHugh that if he intended to use an alibi in his defence, he must furnish the details within 14 days to the prosecution.

Mr Heavey did not address the court during the brief hearing, and has not indicated how he intends to plead to the charge.

Judge McHugh was told by defence solicitor Laurence Baxter that Mr Heavey is already on legal aid. He will be appointed one junior counsel and a solicitor to represent him at his circuit court trial.

Nobody was home at the time of the incident, which is alleged to have occurred while Mr Shatter was abroad representing the Government at St Patrick’s Day celebrations in Australia.

At Mr Heavey’s first court appearance in March, Detective Sergeant Eugene Stapleton said Mr Heavey had been arrested in the vicinity of the house and that a forensic examination would link him to the property.

He had also said the offence, on conviction at the circuit court level, can carry a 10-year sentence.