Derry Court: Youth who stole charity box from Cathedral remanded in custody

A 16-year-old youth has been remanded in custody at Derry Magistrate's Court today charged with stealing from a charity box in St Eugene's Cathedral in the city.

The youth who cannot be named due to his age appeared charged with one count of stealing from a charity box belonging to St Vincent de Paul on March 26.

A police officer connected the accused to the charge and opposed bail. 

He told the court that a co-ordinator in the Cathedral spotted the accused acting suspiciously around the charity box.

As Mass was going on no action was taken but a later examination of CCTV seemed to show a person taking items from the charity box and placing them in his pocket. 

Police later viewed the footage and identified the accused. 

The offender in the footage was said to have been wearing a black baseball cap and a similar cap was found at the defendant's address.

When interviewed the youth made no comment and the officer said he showed no remorse for his actions. 

The court heard that the youth is currently on bail for similar offences. 

Bail was opposed due to the risk of re-offending as the defendant has 15 previous convictions and 21 breaches of bail. 

The officer said part of the youth's bail conditions was that he was not to enter any place of worship with permission and accompanied by an adult.

The court heard that 'community tension' was quite high over the incident and the youth was a risk to himself.

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that his client denied the offence and said the case hinged on the CCTV. 

The police officer told the court that the youth's parents have 'tried everything to control him'.

Deputy District Judge John Rea said that the prosecution had 'a high hurdle' to overcome when it came to a young person.

He said that in this case he was satisfied that in order to protect the public a remand in custody was required.

The youth will appear again on April 18.