An Algerian asylum-seeker found with two credit cards and a mobile phone stolen from women at DART stations was remanded on bail for sentence yesterday. Hassan Tata (24) was convicted at Dublin District Court of handling stolen property in Temple Bar on August 16th. The court heard the defendant had been put out of Buskers Bar by security staff for allegedly trying to steal from a woman's handbag and attempted to run away when gardai arrived.
Garda Brendan Dowling said the credit cards and mobile phone found on the defendant had been pick-pocketed from women at Tara Street and Pearse Street stations and the phone was used to call a number in Algeria. A defence barrister said the defendant had left Algeria because of trouble with Muslim extremists and wanted to stay here as it was an easier country to live in.
Judge Murrough Connellan said he did not believe the defendant's story about finding the cards and buying the phone at a market. He ordered a probation report and remanded the defendant on bail to November 24th for sentence.