MONKS were left frightened by a series of middle-of-the-night burglaries at their Co Antrim monastery, a court has heard.
A 42-year-old man accused of three burglaries and one attempted burglary at Our Lady of Bethlehem Abbey monastery in Portglenone was refused bail on Thursday.
Gareth Steven Patrick Hyndman, whose address was given as Coleraine Street in Kilrea, Co Derry, appeared at Ballymena Magistrates Court.
Hyndman appeared via video link from Maghaberry Prison where he was remanded the previous Friday after appearing at Coleraine Magistrates Court.
Ballymena Magistrates Court heard police attended at 3am on January 25 after a report from a monk of a male walking along a corridor at an accommodation block. It was discovered that £600 was stolen from an office. A pickaxe was found which had been used to gain entry through a window.
At 2.10am on January 30 police received another report of an intruder when £5 and a key was taken.
On March 24 a monk heard a noise in a laundry room and a male made off. A forensic report on the pickaxe showed a DNA link to the defendant and a footwear mark matched a trainer owned by Hyndman.
A police officer told the court the defendant also had a jacket similar to that seen on CCTV.
The policewoman said Hyndman denied all the matters saying he was in bed and said the DNA was not his.
The officer said the incidents left "elderly and vulnerable monks very frightened".
A defence lawyer said the defendant was contesting all charges.
She said several monks were unable to identify the defendant, nor was he identified on CCTV.
District Judge Nigel Broderick remanded the defendant in continuing custody until May.
