Lithuanian man remanded on three burglary charges

A Lithuanian man has appeared in court, charged in connection with an incident in which another man was shot by a garda, last week.

The driver of the car, aged 36, is being treated for his injuries at University Hospital Limerick, where he is in a serious but stable condition.

At Kilmallock District Court, Detective Garda Michael Brosnan, Kinsale Garda station, gave evidence of arresting Aurimas Petraska, aged 31, at Henry St Garda Station, in Limerick.

He said he charged Mr Petraska, originally from Kaunas, Lithuania, but with an address at Church St, Rathkeale, Co Limerick, with three counts of burglary.

Mr Petraska is accused of burglary involving clothes and shoes worth €100,000 at Isobel boutique, on Main St, Adare, Co Limerick, on June 21.

He is also charged with stealing perfumes and cosmetics worth over €40,000 during a burglary at O’Connors Pharmacy, Kinsale, Co Cork, on January 13.

He is further charged with stealing cosmetics and perfumes worth in excess of €20,000 during a burglary at O’Brien’s Pharmacy, Cahir, Co Tipperary, on September 10, 2015.

Det Gda Brosnan said Mr Petraska “made no reply” to the charges.

John Herbert, solicitor, told the brief court hearing he would not be seeking bail on behalf of the accused. He told Judge Marian O’Leary he did not anticipate seeking bail at the next court hearing.

Insp Paul Reidy told the court he did “not yet” have directions from the DPP.

Judge O’Leary remanded Mr Petraska in custody to appear before Newcastle West District Court for DPP directions, on Friday.