Stay off dating websites, judge tells man in theft case

A judge has extended an order telling a man to stay off dating websites including smooch.com and plentyoffish.com.

At Ennis District Court, Alan Custy, of Lahinch Road, Co Clare, was returned to trial at the Circuit Court charged with stealing €14,650 from a woman.

Mr Custy is charged with five separate counts of stealing €14,650 from the woman over five months in 2013.

Mr Custy was on bail from September 17th when he agreed to stop monitoring or creating accounts or profiles on the websites: smooch.com, plentyoffish.com and communitysingles.com.

The charges include stealing €3,900 from a woman in the District Court area of Limerick between November 19th and November 31st 2013; €3,400 on November 18th 2013; another €700 on September 17th 2013; €3,450 between July 3rd and July 7th 2013 and another €3,200 on June 17th 2013.

Det O’Shaughnessy said that in reply to caution, Mr Custy said: “I didn’t steal anything off her. How did I steal money off her?”

In response to a separate charge he said: “Same as the last one, I didn’t steal anything off her. I’m not denying she didn’t give me loans, but I’m trying to pay her back. I’m trying to get work and I’ve opened my own company.”

Mr Custy said that he had the same reply to the remaining charges.

Insp John O’Sullivan said gardaí were seeking a remand on bail on the same bail conditions as before, to the next sittings of Ennis Circuit Court on February 10th. As part of the bail conditions Mr Custy has given an undertaking not to contact the alleged injury party or any witnesses.

Judge Gráinne O’Neill granted legal aid to also cover a barrister for Mr Custy in the Circuit Court.

Judge O’Neill remanded Mr Custy on bail on the same conditions to appear before Ennis Circuit Court on February 10th.