National Library employee to face trial over theft of 216 books

A National Library of Ireland employee is to face trial on more than 200 counts of stealing rare antique books.

John Nulty (37), of Portersgate Close, Clonsilla, Dublin, was served with a book of evidence at Dublin District Court on Thursday having initially been charged in October.

Judge Cormac Dunne told the defendant he was being returned for trial to the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court where he will face his next hearing on February 12th.

The accused, who has not yet entered a plea to the charges which are contrary to the Theft and Fraud Offences Act, has been granted free legal aid.

Defence solicitor Michael Kelleher was granted an order that legal aid would also cover senior counsel representation for his client.

Mr Nulty faces 216 counts of stealing books from the National Library of Ireland in Dublin on various dates between 2004 until 2013.

The books involved in the case include: “Some Poems of Roger Casement” published in 1918; Memoirs of Charles Macklin (1806) and Early Irish History and Mythology.

Mr Nulty, who was remanded on bail in his own bond of €300, must notify the prosecution within 14 days if he intends to use an alibi in his defence.