A man has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged in connection with a car hijacking in Dublin and two robberies in Wicklow over the weekend.
Joseph Rafferty (45), with no fixed abode, faces four charges: car hijacking, unauthorised use of a car without the owner’s consent, attempted robbery and robbery.
Tallaght District Court heard that Mr Rafferty was arrested at 6.15pm on Sunday at Tallaght Garda Station before he was formally charged by Sergeant Michael Martin.
The court was told that Mr Rafferty was cautioned in the usual manner and made no reply when the charges were put to him.
The charges relate to three incidents that occurred on Saturday evening, April 26th.
At around 7.45pm, a woman was allegedly threatened and forced out of her black Nissan Qashqai at a commercial premises on St Peter’s Road in Walkinstown, Dublin 12.
Mr Rafferty is charged with hijacking under Section 10 of the Criminal Law Act 1997, and unlawful use of a mechanically propelled vehicle under Section 112 of the Road Traffic Act 1961.
Later that evening, it is alleged Mr Rafferty attempted to rob a store on the Dublin Road in Bray, Co Dublin, threatening cashiers as he left. He is further charged with attempted robbery.
At approximately 8.45pm, a robbery occurred at the Applegreen service station in Rathnew, Co Wicklow, where Mr Rafferty allegedly threatened staff with a bottle and stole a sum of cash.
Detective Garda Tadgh O’Connor from Wicklow Garda Station is involved in the ongoing investigation.
Mr Rafferty’s solicitor, Michael Hennessy, told the court there was no application for bail at this time.
He consented to Mr Rafferty being remanded in custody to Cloverhill District Court for a bail application next Friday, May 2nd, 2025, at 10am, via video link.
Judge John O’Leary formally remanded Mr Rafferty in custody.
Gardaí said investigations are continuing and further instructions are awaited from the Director of Public Prosecutions.