A Derry City Council employee has appeared at Derry Magistrates Court charged with the armed robbery of two betting offices in the city earlier this week.
Gravedigger Darren Joseph Sweeney (34), whose address was given in court as 11 Greenwalk in Creggan, is charged with robbing McLeans Bookmakers on Strand Road of £360 on 15 January.
He is further charged with carrying a firearm or imitation firearm with intent to commit a robbery.
Sweeney, a father of three, is also charged with robbing McLeans office on Foyle Street of £1,100 on the same date and carrying a firearm or imitation firearm with intent to commit a robbery.
A police detective told the court he could connect the accused the charges.
Opposing bail, the detective said the raider in both robberies was captured on CCTV entering both offices with a shotgun and ordering staff to put cash, made up of notes and coins, into a white plastic bag.
The detective told the court the robber was observed getting out of and returning to a black Astra car on each occasion.
The police witness said the car, registered in the accused’s name, was traced to an address in the Brandywell area where it was found parked up shortly after the second raid.
The court heard while at this address, Sweeney arrived and when searched had a key to the vehicle.
Quantities of cash and money bags similar to those used by both bookie offices were found in the house.
The court was told Sweeney informed police the money had been paid back to him after it and been loaned out.
The detective was also told the court that CCTV footage obtained from nearby shops showed the accused getting staff to change quantity of coins to notes.
The court was told Sweeney had told police he had been the only person in charge of the car that day and admitted to being in the vicinity of the robberies with the intention of purchasing “fast food.”
The court heard Sweeney had gambled and lost £670 earlier that day in another office belonging to McLeans.
The detective told the court police believed the accused had a gambling problem and that he had carried out the robberies to “feed his habit.”
The court was also told the gun used in the robberies had not been found and that £500 was still outstanding.
The detective told the court police “strongly” opposed bail as they feared the accused would interfere with witnesses and the fact the gun had not been recovered there was a possibility he would commit further offences.
Refusing bail, Resident Magistrate Barney McElholm, pointed out the shotgun had not been recovered and there was a possibility of the interference of witnesses.
Sweeney was remanded in custody to appear at Derry Magistrates Court via video link on 13 February next.
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