A Dublin man who has amassed a total of 33 bench warrants has been given “a chance” after Gardaí objected to him being granted bail before the Circuit Criminal Court.
Karl McGuinness, of Beneavin Rd, Finglas Dublin 11, was arrested last Saturday as the result of the 33rd bench warrant that has been issued by the courts against him in respect of various matters.
Gardaí gave evidence that there were “no conditions” that could “appease” their “fears” of the accused not turning up for court to enter a plea in respect of the charges he is facing.
Of the 33 bench warrants, 2 are from 2024, 8 from 2019, 6 from 2014, and 5 from 2015.
The court heard that a gap in the issuing of bench warrants was attributable to the accused being in prison during those time frames.
Defence counsel Pieter Le Vert BL, argued that McGuinness was now “3rd on the list for a bed in Cluain Mhuire” and that a stint in prison might negatively affect this in circumstances where the court heard it is difficult to be that high on the list for a bed.
The court heard that the accused is now living with his grandfather in Finglas and that the reason he missed a recent court appearance, which led to the issuing of the bench warrant which triggered his arrest last Saturday was that he had forgotten he was to appear.
Addressing the court directly, the accused said, “I had so many other court dates I got confused”.
Judge Orla Crowe said that the court was of a mind to “give him a chance” as he is engaging with a treatment program.
Granting bail, she ordered the accused to sign on at Finglas Garda station once a day, to observe a curfew from 12am to 6am, and to consume no other drugs apart from his methadone “takeaways”.
He is to appear before the court again on the 28th of July for arraignment.
“He does enjoy the presumption of innocence,” Judge Crowe said.