Two men have appeared in court on theft and deception charges relating to dog owners who had placed adverts on Done Deal looking to locate their lost dogs.

At Ennis District Court, solicitor for the two cousins accused, Daragh Hassett told Judge Patrick Durcan that the two are to fully contest the charges against them.

Outlining the facts in the case, Insp Tom Kennedy said that on April 14th, it will be alleged that Patrick and Jason Ward spoke to a Mark Cashin who had placed an advert on Done Deal in relation to his lost dog.

Insp Kennedy said that it will be alleged that the Wards told Mr Cashin to meet them in Ennis the following day where they took €600 from him and left, as they didn’t have his dog in the first place.

Patrick Ward (28) of Gaelcarraig, Newcastle, Galway and his cousin Jason Ward (32) Rinn Incra, Ballybane, Galway are also facing a charges concerning a separate Done Deal ad relating to a lost dog owned by an Ian Kinnefick.

It is claimed the two arranged on April 16th to meet Mr Kennefick and both are facing a charge in the Ennis district area of dishonestly and by deception inducing Mr Kennefick to give them €500 on the pretence that they could return his stolen dog to him, with the intention of making a gain for themselves, contrary to Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.

In relation to the alleged incident concerning Mark Cashin’s lost dog, the two Wards are charged with stealing €600 from Mr Cashin at the Gort Rd in Ennis on April 15th contrary to Section 4 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.

In court, Judge Durcan gave the two the option of having their cases heard in the district court or in the circuit court.

The two elected to have their cases heard before a judge and jury in the circuit court and Mr Hassett said that the charges will be fully contested.

Persons found guilty of an offence under Section 6 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001 are liable to a prison term of up to five years.

A person found guilty of Section 4 theft is liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment not exceeding 10 years.

Judge Durcan remanded the two on bail to re-appear before Ennis District Court to July 15th for a Book of Evidence and consent from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for the case to be heard in the circuit court.

Judge Durcan amended the ball terms for the two so that they need only sign on once a week at their local Garda station.