Man with four identities reveals all in courtroom

Man with four identities reveals all in courtroom

30 November 2011

A MYSTERY defendant has declared his real identity during an outburst in Downpatrick District Court.

The dramatic scene happened on Thursday afternoon as the defendant, who was listed as John Casey, appeared to plead guilty to a burglary charge relating to an incident in Ballynahinch.

Casey (46), who gave his address as Burgh, Scurragh Burgh, Offaly, had been due to admit stealing £100 from a house at Main Street on September 27 this year. The court heard that the house was attached to a pub and the defendant had taken the money in an “opportunistic” way.

But the court heard that a doubt had arisen over the defendant’s identity when he accidentally gave a different name during a brief appearance in another court last week.

This mistake prompted police to make fingerprint enquiries and following an investigation with Garda Siochana, they discovered the defendant’s finger prints matched those of three other men with the names of Martin Faulkner (30), Martin Casey (42) and Martin Faulkner (43).

District Judge Peter King said the lack of clarity over the defendant’s true identity meant he would have to be remanded in custody pending further investigations.

This prompted Casey to pledge that he was in fact 42 year-old Martin Casey, a father of nine from Tralee.

“I am Martin Casey, that is who I am,” he said.

“I used my brother’s identity. I have had numerous identities in the past and it has not done me any favours.

“I used those bogus names because I have been in and out of trouble all my life, but now I am sick of running from police.

“I have spent most of my life in jail. I am a criminal, that is it.

“I have had broken marriages, family members have died while I have been in prison and I lost my younger brother to cancer.

“I have been sitting in courts long before you. I have been running from police for too long, but now I am sick of it.”

Mr. King said the fact that the defendant had now changed his identity made things more difficult.

He said the criminal record attached to one of the names sourced by police was serious and meant the case would need to be transferred to the Crown Court.

“I do not have the powers to deal with you,” he said. “This has been brought to your own door by yourself.”

Casey was remanded in custody until December 8 when he will appear by video link.

His barrister came off record following the incident.