Man on trial over €1.139 million jewellery heist
The trial of a man, who is charged with the robbery of jewellery worth €1.139 million from a Galway City jewellers, began before a jury at Galway Circuit Criminal Court this morning.
Irmantas Paulauskas (38), pleaded not guilty to the robbery of diamond rings and Rolex watches from Richard Hartmann, 29 William Street, Galway, on February 11, 2015.
With the help of a Lithuanian interpreter, he replied: "I didn't have any firearm", when a second charge of having an imitation pistol, with silencer fitted, in his possession at the time with intent to commit robbery, was put to him.
Judge Rory McCabe asked the accused to clarify if he was pleading guilty or not guilty to the charge, to which he replied: "Not guilty."
Prosecuting barrister, Conor Fahy BL, informed the jury panel that Mr Richard Hartmann, eleven of his staff, along with numerous other civilian and Garda witnesses, would be giving evidence.
A jury, comprising eleven men and one woman was empanelled this morning to hear evidence in the trial which is expected to last two weeks.