By Anne Lucey

A 29-year-old man has appeared before Killarney District Court charged with stealing a sheep in lamb and with causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

Hungarian native Richard Daroczi, previously of Ely O’Carroll Place, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary and now of no fixed abode, was arrested by Killarney gardaí yesterday (Monday, January 13).

He is charged with stealing a ewe sheep in lamb worth €500, the property of Con O’Riordan on January 5 at Cummeenabrick, Clonkeen, Co. Kerry.

He has further been charged with two offences of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal under the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013.

Both of these charges relate to Cummeenabrick, Clonkeen on January 5.

Two other charges relate to the theft of fuel worth €20 from O’Brien’s Filling Station, Glenflesk Killarney, on January 5 and of €70 worth of fuel from Corrib Oil, John Joe Sheehy Road, Tralee on January 8.

On November 15, 2024, Daroczi is alleged to have been drink driving at Beech Road car park, Killarney and on November 22nd he is alleged to had cocaine in his possession at the Garda Station in Killarney.

Giving evidence of arrest, charge and caution at Killarney Garda Station on Monday, Garda Declan Leader and Garda Richard O’Connor told the court that the accused had no reply to the charges.

Sergeant Stephen O’Brien said directions were awaited from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), but the gardaí were seeking conditions for remand on bail.

The bail conditions include that he stays away from farmers’ yards and agricultural land and provide gardaí with an address.

Solicitor Padraig O’Connell said his client had been living in “his 06 Mazda vehicle” and was hoping to get a shed on the side of the road to sleep in last night.

The solicitor said that there were concerns as his client believed his wife was a government minister in Hungary.

The court heard he was in receipt of job seeker’s benefit and was applying for legal aid, which was granted.

The accused provided a mobile number and this must be answerable at all times as part of his bail conditions. Gardaí said he was sourcing accommodation

Judge David Waters said that he needed certainty about the address and the accused would have to provide an address by midday on Friday.

The judge also ordered Daroczi to keep away from “all” agricultural land and farmers’ property.

The court heard that directions are awaited from the DPP and jurisdiction is to be decided upon.

The matter has been adjourned to January 21.