A garda has appeared in Killarney District Court charged with stealing a purse, a Panadol tablet and almost €200 from a colleague.
Garda Michael Fitzgerald (52) was charged with stealing property contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001. The offence is alleged to have occurred on August 6th, 2003, at the Garda Station, New Road.
Garda Fitzgerald told Judge James O'Connor he was electing to be tried at the Circuit Criminal Court, not at the District Court.
His solicitor, Mr Padraig O'Connell, said his client was certainly not pleading on the charge and that he was "totally innocent".
Judge O'Connor adjourned the matter to May 4th, when the book of evidence is to be served.
