A MAN CHARGED with the alleged burgarlies of a Nando’s restaurant and jewellery shop in Dublin has been refused bail by a judge.

A court heard today that 41-year-old Sean Hanratty allegedly made off with €100,000 worth of valuables in a smash-and-grab raid of jewellers Diamond Heaven on Clarendon Street in Dublin 2 yesterday.

He is also accused of stealing food from and attempting to breach the till of the peri-peri chicken restaurant Nando’s on St Andrew’s Street, also in Dublin 2, on 23 May.

Hanratty, who has yet to enter a plea, was refused bail after appearing before Judge John King at Dublin District Court today. Garda Sandis Sliwa told the court that he made no reply when charged with two counts of burglary.

Objecting to bail, the garda stressed the seriousness of the case and voiced witness interference concerns.

He recounted how gardaí received a report at 1.40 am of a burglary at the jewellery shop and “observed that the front door of the premises was smashed and a large quantity of jewellery was taken from the front window display”.

The court heard CCTV footage confirmed a lone male gained entry by breaking the front door, causing about €5,000 in damage. The accused, who allegedly matched a description, was seen at St Stephen’s Green and arrested.

A box of stolen jewellery estimated to be valued at €100,000 was beside him. Defence solicitor Holly Laher said her client had the presumption of innocence, notwithstanding the strength of evidence.

Laher said her client would obey a curfew and had family in Dublin 2 to support him and help avoid the risk of failing to appear in court, and she argued that this was a protective factor. The defence pointed out that he had also used a specific homeless services.

Garda Sliwa, however, believed Hanratty was not welcome at the address.

In the earlier alleged incident, it was claimed the accused gained entry to Nando’s just after 3am on the morning of 23 May and tried to break into tills and lockers, stealing groceries, leaving via the fire exit, and causing damages worth €1,300.

It was alleged that his face was clearly visible in the CCTV footage.

It was likely the case would be sent forward to a higher court, the judge heard.

Judge King refused the bail application and remanded Hanratty in custody pending directions from the DPP. He will appear again today.