A WOMAN was “dragged” out, forced into a car on Monday night, and driven for 90 minutes after alleged threats to petrol bomb her Co Kildare home over a missing dog, a court heard.
Samantha Leeson, 34, of Priory Square, St Raphael’s Manor, Celbridge, Co Kildare, and 36-year-old Richard O’Leary, of Bawnlea Green, Tallaght, Dublin, were charged with burglary and threatening to damage the woman’s door and windows in Castletown, Celbridge.
They were refused bail when they appeared separately before Judge David McHugh at Blanchardstown District Court today.
Detective Garda Conrad Casey objected to their bail, maintaining they were caught red-handed.
He alleged that at 10.10 pm on June 23, unemployed father of five Richard O’Leary arrived at the woman’s home with others in ’08-registered Volkswagen Jetta.
Mother of two, Ms Leeson, allegedly drove the car.
The contested bail hearings were told that gardai obtained excellent quality CCTV footage with audio from a neighbouring premises showing the car arriving at the property.
Detective Garda Casey alleged Ms Leeson exited the driver seat, and the court was told that a panel on the front door was broken.
The detective claimed Ms Leeson was roaring and shouting: “Get out here now or there’s petrol bombs going through the doors, and get out here now before I break every other window.”
It was alleged that Ms Leeson gained entry to the house, followed by Mr O’Leary and another unnamed male. The woman gave a statement that they came in “against her will”, the judge was told.
The court heard the CCTV showed Ms Leeson “dragging the woman out of her house by her clothing, she is begging the female to stop, but she doesn’t, and she is forced into the Volkswagen Jetta that is parked in the driveway, forced into the back seat.”
The footage was not played during the hearing.
90 MINUTES IN CAR
The court was told two males, including Mr O’Leary, sat on either side of the woman, making it difficult to escape. Approximately an hour and a half later, gardai stopped the Volkswagen Jetta at Fortunestown Lane in Tallaght and found the woman still in the car, it was claimed.
Mr O’Leary was allegedy in the front passenger seat at this point.
The judge noted the alleged injured party was not in court, and the detective could not say why.
However, he asserted that his objection to bail was based on concerns about witness intimidation and that the pair would not appear in court.
The detective agreed with Mark McMahon BL, for Mr O’Leary, that it was the female in the video who purportedly made the threat to burn the property.
However, he added that it was a “joint enterprise”.
Counsel said Mr O’Leary had no connection with Celbridge and was cooperative, which the detective accepted.
He said Mr O’Leary was not rich and had no real relationship with the complainant.
Detective Garda Casey said that imposing bail conditions would not alleviate his fears.
MISSING DOG
Mr McMahon submitted that his client showed a degree of good faith by identifying himself on CCTV.
Solicitor Leonard Leader told the court Ms Leeson had been friends with the complainant, but the relationship deteriorated.
He told the court that the mother of two was a dog-lover who had asked the woman to look after her dog. Despite requests, information on the pet’s whereabouts was not forthcoming.
Mr Leonard said: “She thought that the dog had been entered into dog fights.”
The detective agreed that was the background.
Pleading for bail with conditions, the solicitor said the woman, who also resides in Clondalkin, Dublin, had two young children, and “the prospect of prison terrifies her”.
DENIED BAIL
He also argued that there was insufficient evidence to predict she would fail to turn to court.
Judge McHugh stressed they had the presumption of innocence but said the charges were very serious. Noting the garda evidence and defence submissions, he denied bail in each case and remanded them in custody.
Mr O’Leary will appear at Cloverhill District Court on Friday, while unemployed Ms Leeson will face her next hearing at Blanchardstown District Court via video link on July 1.
Both were dressed in grey sweaters and black pants but did not address the court and have yet to indicate pleas.
The charges are under the Theft and Fraud and Criminal Damage Act, which carry 14 and 10-year sentences, respectively. Legal aid was granted.
