The 26-year-old has already spent seven months in custody on a charge of breaking into a house and stealing a TV and clothing
Belfast Crown Court(Image: Presseye Mail <mail@presseye.com>)
A Co Tyrone man facing a charge of burglary in south Belfast was released on bail on Monday but banned from entering the city.
Padraig Anthony James Brolly has already spent seven months in custody on a charge of breaking into a house and stealing a TV and clothing. The 26-year old, from Castle Gardens in Dungannon, has denied the charge which dates back to last summer.
A Crown barrister said Brolly was one of four people charged following an incident at Southview Street in Belfast on June 24, 2025. The prosecutor said one of Brolly’s co-accused, who Brolly was in a relationship with, is alleged to have been in possession of an imitation air gun during the burglary.
Opposing Brolly’s release, the prosecutor raised several concerns including a risk of re-offending given that he had 99 previous convictions.
The Crown barrister also told Judge Philip Gilpin that Brolly had a “very concerning” history of breaching bail.
Revealing Brolly was “already on bail” when last June’s burglary occurred, she said: “Police have gone so far as to say he never complies with his bail conditions or any orders set by the court.”
In addition she deemed the proposed bail address in Limavady, which she described as the “family home”, as unsuitable.
When the issue of delay in the case was raised, the prosecutor accepted this and acknowledged that there may be a further delay in the case coming to trial.
Regarding the delay, Brolly’s barrister highlighted the current industrial action which is affecting Crown Court cases and said: “It could be September or beyond that before there is any realistic prospect of trial.”
He also spoke of the proposed bail address and said Brolly’s mother was a woman of good character who, in the past, had alerted the authorities when her son had breached bail.
He added that the Limavady address was “a very significant distance from Belfast”.
Moving to the alleged offence last June, the solicitor said that in the days leading up to the burglary, Brolly had met his female co-accused on a dating app. He said on the day in question Brolly came to meet her, that she picked him up then lifted another two males.
The solicitor said she then drove to an address in Belfast, the female occupant was not present and that his client had “absolutely no knowledge” who she was.
He also told Judge Gilpin it was Brolly’s case that he did not enter the property and was denying the burglary charge. Accepting Brolly had a “very significant record”, the solicitor said his client “is realising he has to wise up”.
Urging Judge Gilpin to grant the application made at Belfast Crown Court, Brolly’s solicitor said: “He would only get one shot and after that he would have nobody to blame but himself if he was to breach bail and be remanded again.”
After listening to submissions from both the Crown and defence, Judge Gilpin said that “not without some hesitation” he was granting the application to release Brolly on bail.
The conditions imposed included him residing at the proposed address in Limavady, a ban on entering Belfast, a ban on him consuming alcohol and illegal drugs and observing an 7pm to 8am curfew.
He was also banned from contacting the female occupant of the property targeted as well as his three co-accused.
Judge Gilpin then addressed Brolly’s solicitor and said: “If there is any breach of these conditions and he slips up, there won’t be a second chance afforded to him.”
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