A MAN who has been charged in connection with the hijacking of a taxi in Limerick City last week has been further remanded in custody as he awaits the directions of the DPP in the matter.
24-year-old Mark Ryan, Lenihan Avenue, appeared at Limerick District Court via video link after being charged contrary to section 10 of the Criminal Law Jurisdiction Act.
It was alleged in court that he unlawfully, by force or threat, or by any other form of intimidation, seized or exercised control of or otherwise interfered with the control of, or compelled or induced some other person to use for an unlawful purpose, any vehicle, namely a taxi in this case.
Ryan is also charged with allegedly using force or intimidation by holding a gun to the head of the driver and threatening to shoot him if he did not drive to certain locations within Limerick city.
The incident is said to have lasted several hours on the night in question.
The allegations are in connection with an incident on February 12 last, where Ryan is accused of entering a taxi on Talbot Avenue and stealing €70 in notes, €90 in euro coins and three mobile phones and an Irish driving licence, while forcing the driver to drive around Limerick.
The charges, upon conviction after trial on indictment, carry a sentence of imprisonment for a term not exceeding 15 years.
Sarah Ryan was assigned as free legal aid to Mr Ryan, reserved her right to apply for bail on behalf of Mark Ryan who was remanded in custody to appear in court again this week.
