Man appears at special court sitting over attempted robbery at filling station in the Midlands

A man has appeared at a special court sitting over an attempted robbery at a filling station in the Midlands last week.

Thirty-two-year-old Noel McLoughlin, Ferafad, Ardagh Road, Longford was brought before a special sitting of Mullingar District Court on Monday afternoon following an alleged incident at Texaco Service Station, Dublin Road, Longford last Thursday.

Detective Garda Orla Geraghty gave evidence of arrest, charge and caution. 

She said the accused made no reply when the charge of attempted robbery was put to him.

Mr McLoughlin was arrested on Friday after a man allegedly entered the Longford town filling station armed with a suspected firearm.

Sgt Paul McNally, for the State, said he would be seeking to remand Mr McLoughlin in custody with directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) still outstanding.

Defence solicitor Fiona Baxter said that application was being agreed to by her client on consent and, for the time being, would be reserving an application for bail.

The accused, who was led into court flanked by two plain clothes detectives, sat impassively in the custody suite of the court as details relating to the case were read out.

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Ms Baxter said her client, who suffers from borderline personality disorder, had been in garda custody since Friday and had, on a number of occasions, required the attendance of a doctor.

As such, she requested Mr McLoughlin receive all necessary medical attention while in custody.

Legal aid was also granted to the accused after it was revealed his only means of income was via social welfare.

Presiding Judge Bernadette Owens granted that request and remanded in custody to appear before a sitting of Longford District Court on Tuesday, September 19.

THROWBACK TUESDAY: Out and about for a night on the town in Tullamore from the Offaly archives