Man appears at Letterkenny court over claims he threatened to kill two people
Alan Lukas (43) was before Letterkenny District Court in connection with the incident on March 4, 2015.
Lukas, with an address at Foyle Park, Derry, is charged with threatening the driver and passenger they would be shot and killed if they did not comply with directions.
He is alleged to have ordered the driver of a car to drive from Main Street, Moville to Foyle Park, Derry on the date in question.
The court heard that Lukas gave a false name, Alan Patterson, to Gardaí and there was an outstanding bench warrant against him dating bacjk to 2012.
Lukas was arrested in Moville on Friday and appeared before Judge Kevin Kilraine on Saturday night, when he was remanded in custody.
At Letterkenny District Court on Monday, Sergeant Jim Collins objected to bail being granted to Lukas.
“I have grave concerns about the likelihood of him not appearing,” Sgt Collins said.
“We have the issue of false names from before. He made no attempt in any matter of means to deal with an outstanding warrant from 2012.
“This man resides outside the jurisdiction so he couldn’t be questioned on the allegations. He has actively avoided the Gardaí in order to avoid the charges.
“We are strongly objecting to any bail as we believe that he won’t turn up.”
Solicitor for Lukas, Mr Patsy Gallagher, proffered conditions that Lukas be made sign on at a Garda Station and be available for contact via mobile phone as part of a bail application.
Mr Gallagher asked what attempts Gardaí had made to liaise with the PSNI in order to engage with Lukas.
Sgt Collins said the allegations were of a serious nature and would be put to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for directions.
Sgt Collins said there was a fear of intimidation of witnesses in the case and that Lukas was a flight risk.
Judge Sandra Murphy said she shared Sgt Collins’ concerns and was refusing bail.
“He has a previous failure to answer bail.” Judge Murphy said. “These are serious charges. The charges give rise to a worry that he would interfere with witnesses.”
Lukas was remanded in custody to appear via video link to the July 12 sitting of Letterkenny District Court.
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