A 31-year-old man, who allegedly threatened to shoot a taxi driver during a robbery in Dublin on Sunday evening, has been has been refused bail.
Sean Ducque, who has given an address at Cloonlara Crescent, north Dublin, was remanded in custody for one week after Judge Ann Watkin held that there were enough grounds to refuse bail due to the seriousness of the charges.
He appeared at Dublin District Court on Tuesday following his arrest in the early hours of October 27th. He is accused of robbery and possessing a firearm at Terrace Place Dublin 1, at about 7pm on Sunday.
Garda Sergeant Enda O’Sullivan said Mr Ducque had no reply to one charge but responded “I had no shotgun on me” to the second charge.
Garda O’Sullivan, of Mountjoy station said that Mr Ducque had been arrested at 6.54am on Monday. At 1pm on Tuesday he was rearrested at Mountjoy Garda station for the purpose of charge.He objected to bail citing the seriousness of the incident.
The court heard it was alleged that the taxi man had picked up a lone male.
It was claimed that the alleged incident involved, “robbery with a firearm” and a claim the accused “threatened to shoot the driver”.
Garda Sgt O’Sullivan also said the the taxi had internal CCTV with audio, and the accused was found four feet from the gun.
He agreed with defence solicitor Edward Bradbury that Mr Ducque, who remained silent during the hearing, had given his address.
Mr Bradbury said his client has the presumption of innocence and because he faced an allegation did not mean he should go into custody.
Judge Watkin said that there was significant evidence and as a result of the seriousness of the charge she was refusing bail. Mr Ducque, who was wearing light grey top, dark tracksuit bottoms and runners, was remanded in custody pending directions from the DPP.
His next hearing will take place at Cloverhill District Court on November 4.
Free legal aid was granted after the judge heard that Mr Ducque was in receipt of social welfare.