A 20-YEAR-OLD man who has amassed a total of 76 criminal convictions in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland was refused bail following his arrest last week.

Dallon Millar, of Kilmacormick Avenue, Enniskillen, appeared via videolink at Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday following his arrest on January 15.

Police stopped a Vauxhall Astra on the Station Road, Letterbreen and recognised Millar, who was a front seat passenger.

They asked him to step out of the car as they made enquiries.

He was arrested in relation to three incidents and taken to Omagh Police Station. When he removed his tracksuit bottoms in custody, packages believed to be containing Class A and B drugs were found in his underwear. He was then interviewed but made no comment.

Of the three incidents being investigated, a police officer told the court on November 7, 2016 an injured party rang the police and told them that some weeks prior his house was broken into in Lisbellaw and a water tank and copper pipes were stolen.

The second incident took place between November 30 and December 1, 2020 when a different injured party phoned police and told them her Audi A3 had been stolen by Millar.

Millar had contacted her through Snapchat and said they should meet up. The injured party had no prior knowledge of him. They went to a party, but when driving home, the woman was unwell and stopped in Newtownbutler for fresh air.

Whilst standing outside the vehicle, Millar moved from the passenger seat into the driver’s seat and drove off, leaving her stranded, and she had to call her family to collect her, who were 28 miles away.

The car was later found abandoned at Aghalane Jetty at 2.20am, and Millar got into a blue Ford Fusion, that was located on the Makenny Road, Ballinamallard and a police pursuit started after he failed to stop.

Millar drove for eight miles at high speed around bends and over dips in the road, and at one stage for half a mile he turned off his lights and drove in the dark.

The chase had to be terminated as they entered a 50mph speed zone, and it was estimated he reached speeds of 100mph. Millar was later located by An Garda Siochana.

The third incident took place on January 14 when another injured party called 999, saying he was outside his property when Millar turned up and took £40 from his right hand.

He then hit him a number of times before taking another £100. Millar then attacked the injured party’s brother, hitting him several times.

Police were opposing bail, saying Millar was likely to reoffend as he had 76 convictions to his name already, and since his release from custody on December 10, 2020, he had breached bail nine times.

Police also feared Millar would interfere with witnesses, and pointed out that the owner of the Audi A3 had made a withdrawal statement, and they believed the defendant was now only in a relationship with her to make that statement.

They also believed Millar was a flight risk, as he had connections in the Republic.

Millar’s barrister, Stephen Mooney, admitted there was some substance in the risk of flight fear, but said there £1,000 available to lodge to make sure Millar showed up for court, and he also added that Millar’s pregnant girlfriend and family in Lisnaskea could ensure he went to court.

After hearing all submissions, District Judge Steven Keown said Millar’s bail application was “hopeless”, and he remanded him in custody to appear again on February 15.