A LOCAL man allegedly raided a holidaymaker’s boat for cash and took a car while its owner was using the Lakeland Forum, the High Court has heard.
Prosecutors claimed father-of-seven Richard Maughan, 39, was prepared to take significant risks to go stealing in broad daylight.
Maughan, of Sallys Wood in Irvinestown, faces charges of burglary, theft, taking a motor vehicle without authority and driving while disqualified.
He is accused of taking the Audi Q7 SUV from Fermanagh Lakeland Forum on March 31.
Crown lawyer Natalie Pinkerton said the vehicle’s keys had been stolen from a changing room locker at the leisure centre.
The Audi’s owner described seeing a man acting suspiciously in the area before the theft, the court heard.
He then used his vehicle’s tracking device to locate it in the Republic, where Maughan was arrested.
Ms Pinkerton alleged the accused can be identified on CCTV footage from the leisure centre.
Maughan is further accused of breaking into a boat moored at the Lakeland Forum during a separate incident on May 5.
It was claimed that a man challenged at the scene as he peered into boats tied up near the Forum said he was “looking for a lift”.
The suspect was seen exiting a Doral 360 yacht with a purse which he threw into the water after removing its contents, according to the prosecution.
A witness followed him to a local pub where police subsequently arrested Maughan.
Ms Pinkerton alleged the accused had handed over money to the bar tender, stating there was €600 euros but he was too drunk to count it.
“The owner of the boat said she had been staying on it while on holiday with her family when her purse was stolen,” the barrister added.
“She stated there was €600 euros missing… that has not been recovered.”
Opposing bail, counsel contended: “These offences are said to have been committed in broad daylight. They are not sophisticated, however, that shows no regard to the risk of being apprehended.”
Defence lawyer Dessie Hutton argued that no CCTV footage of the alleged car theft from the leisure centre was produced during police interviews of his client.
With Maughan said to suffer from depression, Mr Justice McAlinden granted bail on condition that he seeks medical help for related alcohol issues.
The judge also imposed a curfew and electronic tagging.
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