Four men have been remanded in custody charged with stealing a car in Sligo and two number plates in Leitrim last weekend.

The four, Eric and Sean Farrell, both aged 21, of Castle Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24, 20-year-old Keith Brady of Cushlawn Close, Tallaght, Dublin 24 and 26-year-old Michael Ward (26) of Kimmage, Manor Way, Whitehall Road, Dublin 12, appeared before Judge Eiteáin Cunningham at Sligo District Court today.

All four men were charged with stealing a Mitsubishi car outside a residential property at Stoneparks, Ballymote at 7.25am on Sunday 4 January, with the possession of two car registration plates stolen on 3 January from two Volkswagen Passats in Carrick-on-Shannon and with possessing a Parkside cordless drill with the intention of using it in the course of a theft.

Sergeant Adrian Keane testified that he arrested Eric Farrell on O’Connell Street, Ballymote, Co Sligo at 5pm on Monday 5 January.

He was cautioned and made no reply to the charges.

There was an application for bail, however, Sgt Keane objected to bail on the grounds of the seriousness of the charges and said the garda investigation was still ongoing as forensics, CCTV footage and witness statements were awaited. Judge Cunningham refused bail.

Sgt Keane also arrested Sean Farrell on O’Connell St, Ballymote, Co Sligo at at 5.12pm on Monday 5 January. He made no reply to the charges when cautioned.

Sean Farrell was further charged with the unlawful possession of cannabis at Ballymote Garda Station that day. Bail was applied for and refused.

Garda Michael Connolly of Sligo Garda Station then gave evidence of the arrest, charge and caution of Michael Ward at 5.36pm on O’Connell Street, Ballymote on Monday 5 January.

He made no reply after caution. Bail was again applied for and refused.

Garda Connolly testified that he arrested the fourth man, Keith Brady, at 5.24pm on Monday 5 January on O’Connell Street, Ballymote and charged him at 7.04pm.

Brady made no reply after caution. Brady was also charged with possession of a flick-knife at Cleavry, Castlebaldwin, Co Sligo on Sunday 4 January. Another application for bail was made, which again was objected to.

Judge Cunningham refused Brady bail, and made an order directing him to receive any medical or psychiatric assessments as required while in custody.

All four men were remanded to Castlerea Prison to appear via video link at Sligo District Court on 8 January.