A MEMBER of the travelling community who is accused of robbing a pregnant woman is facing the prospect of having to postpone his wedding after he was refused bail.

A MEMBER of the travelling community who is accused of robbing a pregnant woman is facing the prospect of having to postpone his wedding after he was refused bail.

Applying for bail on behalf of Pa Casey, aged 21, of Clonlong, Southill, solicitor Sarah Ryan said he is due to get married in less than two months.

Opposing the bail application, Garda Shane Ryan said the defendant was arrested within an hour of the incident being reported to gardai.

He alleged the victim - a non-national - was walking along Childers Road near the Kilmallock Roundabout at around 6pm last Wednesday when she was approached by the defendant who grabbed her handbag.

Garda Ryan said the injured party, who is heavily pregnant, struggled with her attacker and sustained minor hand injuries.

Mr Casey was arrested less than an hour later at Galtee Drive, O’Malley Park.

It is alleged that when arrested gardai located the victim’s mobile phone in his possession.

Garda Ryan said Mr Casey made some admissions while in custody although the defendant disputed this claiming he was intoxicated when arrested.

Judge Eugene O’Kelly was told gardai believe the defendant will commit further offences if released and Garda Ryan said he did not believe he would obey any bail conditions imposed by the court.

In his evidence, Mr Casey said he is due to get married in two months and that he was willing to sign on twice a day if necessary.

Judge O’Kelly noted that Mr Casey “proposed to get married in the near future” but said he was refusing bail given the garda objection.

He remanded the defendant in custody to appear before the court via video link tomorrow.

As a file is being prepared for the Director of Public Prosecutions in relation to the incident, Mr Casey is facing the prospect of spending several weeks in custody pending directions.