Cousins charged over spate of thefts in tourist areas

Two men have appeared before a special sitting of the District Court in Tralee, charged with thefts of tourist property at viewing spots, breaking into cars, and possession of house-breaking implements in the Killarney area.

The men, who the court was told are cousins and Czech natives holding only Czech Republic passports, are also accused of criminal damage and of taking charity box money from a church near Killarney last Thursday.

They have lived at various addresses in the Killarney area since 2006 in the case of one man, and the other since 2003.

Roman Polyak, aged 30, of 17 Pinewood Estate, Killarney, is charged with 11 offences. He made no reply to the charges after his arrest on Friday, Garda Nigel Hennessy, of Killarney Gardaí, outlined to the court.

Alan Duna, aged 28, of Sunnyhill Lower, Killarney — an unemployed father -of-three, including a newborn baby — made no reply to seven charges.

The State objected to an application for bail.

Inspector Tony Sugrue said there was a likelihood of further crime and of flight, and both men had moved around addresses. Polyak had held “at least 11 different addresses” in the Killarney area, he said.

Extradition warrants to bring him from the Czech Republic to face other charges had been issued for Polyak previously, but he had returned voluntarily to face those charges.

Two of his three children were born in Ireland, but under cross-examination he admitted his partner and children no longer live here.

Polyak said he has been working in an Italian restaurant in Killarney, was paid €300 a week and is not claiming welfare. He told gardaí he was addicted to drugs. The second accused, Duna, had failed to turn up to court four times in relation to another matter.

He has been living in Ireland for 11 years and said he did not know about the previous court dates. The charges, on dates in July and August, include stealing the poor box from Fossa Church on August 18; taking the charity collection box from the church on August 21; possession of offensive weapons and house- breaking implements; and handling stolen property.

Polyak is accused of having stolen Australian dollars in his possession; taking property from tourist cars at Torc Waterfall and Muckross, and of handling stolen property in Macroom.

Duna is accused of breaking into tourist cars at Blackwater Bridge; taking an ipad, iphone, sat nav and cash; and taking an iphone in the Smoke House restaurant, Killarney.

Judge Angela Condon refused bail and remanded them in custody to appear in Tralee next Thursday.