Father and son due in court over alleged spate of building material thefts around country

Nenagh Court was told that aTipperary motorist who turned back at a Garda checkpoint had no insurance

placeholder image — Nenagh Court was told that aTipperary motorist who turned back at a Garda checkpoint had no insurance

A man allegedly involved in a spate of robberies around the country, including Tipperary, has been remanded in custody by Judge Elizabeth MacGrath at Nenagh District Court.

John Drennan of Mountmellick Road, Portlaoise, is charged with offences that include being in possession of a white Volkswagen caddy van with false registration plates and high vis jackets intended for use in a theft in Banba Square Nenagh on April 14, 2023.

He is also facing seven counts for theft of building materials ranging in value from €850 to €1,280.

These thefts happened in hardware stores in Roscrea, Thurles, Mullingar, Leitrim, Ennis.

Mr Drennan is charged that on January 14, 2023, he stole 20 plywood sheets with a value of €1,280 from Ronayne’s Hardware in Thurles.

He is further charged that on the same date, he stole building supplies with a value of €1,214 were stolen from Stakelum’s Hardware in Thurles.

He is also charged with the theft of milk replacer with a value of €1,000 from Ballyduff Coop in Thurles on March 15.

Mr Drennan is also charged with the theft of a Victor Whacker plate worth €1,230 from Midlands Site Supplies in Roscrea on March 25.

Mr Drennan is also charged that on January 23, he took building materials to the value of €1,236 from Dpl Builder’s Providers in Mullingar.

He is charged that the following day, he took rolls of lead with a value of €866 were stolen from Reynold’s Topline Hardware in Leitrim.

On March 22, 15 bags of Maverick milk replacer with a value of €850 were stolen from Dan McInerney’s in Ennis, Clare.

No application for bail was made by his solicitor, David Peters and Mr Drennan was remanded in custody to Tipperary Town District Court on Wednesday, April 26.

Mr Drennan’s father, Peter, with an address in Edenderry, county Offaly, appeared before Thurles District Court on April 19 charged with the same offences and was remanded in custody to Tipperary Town District Court on Wednesday, April 26.

DPP directions are awaited in both cases.