Man charged with stealing sheep in Co Kerry

Accused must stay away from all farm yards as part of his bail condition

The man is charged with stealing a sheep in lamb, and with two incidents of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal on January 5.

A 29-year-old man appeared before the District court in Killarney on Monday charged with stealing a sheep in lamb, and with two incidents of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal on January 5.

He has to stay away from all farm yards as part of his bail condition.

Richard Daroczi previously of Ely O’Carroll Place, Nenagh, Co Tipperary, and a Hungarian native, and now of no fixed abode had been arrested by Killarney gardaí yesterday and charged with stealing “a ewe sheep in lamb” worth €500, the property of Con O’Riordan on January 5 at Cummeenabrick, Clonkeen, Co Kerry.

The charge is under the Theft and Fraud Offences Act 2001.

He has further been charged with two offences of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal under the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013. Both of these relate to Cummeenabrick, Clonkeen, on January 5.

Two other charges relate to the theft of €20 worth of fuel from O’Brien’s Filling Station, Glenflesk Killarney, on January 5 and of €70 worth of fuel from Corrib Oil, John Joe Sheehy Road, Tralee on January 8.

On November 15, 2024, Mr Daroczi is alleged to have been drink driving at Beech Road Car Park, Killarney and on November 22, he is alleged to had cocaine in his possession at the Garda Station in Killarney. 

Giving evidence of arrest at Killarney Garda Station yesterday, and of charge and caution, Garda Declan Leader and Garda Richard O’Connor said the accused had no reply to the charges.

Sergeant Stephen O’Brien said directions were awaited from the DPP but the gardaí were seeking conditions for remand on bail.

The conditions include that he stays away from farmers’ yards and agricultural land. He must sign on daily at Killarney Garda Station. He is also to provide an address - he had previously been residing in Nenagh but was of no fixed abode now, Sgt O’Brien said.

Hoping to get shed

Solicitor Pádraig O’Connell said his client had been living in “his 06 Mazda vehicle”. He was hoping to get a shed on the side of the road to sleep in tonight, the solicitor said.

His client was a native of Hungary; he spoke English and did not need an interpreter, Mr O’Connell told the court. However there were concerns as his client believed his wife was a minister in Hungary, Mr O’Connell also said.

“I’d have concerns. He believes his wife is a government minister in Hungary,” the solicitor said.

The court heard he was in receipt of jobseeker’s benefit and was applying for legal aid.

He has provided a mobile number and this must be answerable at all times as part of his bail conditions.

Gardai said he was sourcing accommodation Judge David Waters said he needed certainty about the address and the accused would have to provide an address by Friday, midday.

Judge Waters also ordered Mr Daroczi to keep away from “all” agricultural land and farmers’ property. Directions are awaited from the DPP and jurisdiction decided upon. The matter has been adjourned to January 21. Legal aid was granted.