TWO YOUNG north Wexford men have appeared before a sitting of New Ross District Court charged with setting a speed camera van alight near Arklow last March.
Darragh Byrne (18), Pine Cottage, Kilmurray, Gorey, and Martin Gowan (19), Bolaney, Hollyfort, Gorey, are both charged with arson. Both are alleged to have set fire to a Go-Safe speed safety camera van at Ashwood, Gorey, just south of Arklow on the old N11, on Sunday, March 13th last.
Garda Emer McCarthy gave evidence of their arrest, charge and caution. Both men were arrested early on Monday morning. Mr Byrne was questioned at Gorey Garda station, and Mr Gowan at Wexford Garda station.
They were brought to yesterday’s sitting of New Ross District Court, where Insp Mick Walsh told the court a file was being prepared for the DPP. It is expected that more serious charges against the defendants will follow.
Insp Walsh said the Garda had no objections to bail being granted to Mr Byrne or Mr Gowan, as long as they adhered to certain conditions.
These were that they sign on at Gorey Garda station every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and that they reside at their respective home addresses, as well as observing a curfew between 9pm and 9am.
Mr Byrne and Mr Gowan were each granted bail on their own bonds of €1,000 and remanded to appear before Gorey District Court tomorrow.