Seven Man Gang Appear At Special Sitting Of Cashel Court

Seven men, charged last night with serious aggravated burglary at a home in Co Tipperary, committed this week, have appeared at a special sitting of Cashel District Court today.

The seven men, some of which were already on bail for other serious offences, including possession of a firearm and assaulting a Garda, have now been named as Patrick Joyce, aged 21, from Beaumont Hall, Beaumont Woods, Dublin 9; John Joyce, aged 19, from Lentisk Lawn, Donaghmede, Dublin; Michael McDonagh, aged 22, from Tara Lawns, Belcamp Lane, Coolock, Dublin 5; Thomas Flynn, aged19, Moatview Avenue, Coolock, Dublin 5; Donal O’Hara, aged 21, from Glin Park, Coolock, Dublin 5; Dean Byrne, aged 21, from Cabra Park, Dublin 7; and Patrick Gately, aged 26, from Primrose Grove, Darndale, Dublin.

Gardaí had yesterday applied to the District Court in Cashel for permission to detain the men for a third 24-hour period, allowing for their detention for the full 72 hours available to Gardaí under present legislation.

Following their arrest early on Thursday morning last, about €1,300 in cash, together with jewellery taken from the house and two shotguns had been found in their possession. Gardaí investigations now believe that this gang left their base in Coolock, north Dublin, driving a Saab and a V W Passat, around midnight on Wednesday last. The Saab vehicle appears to have broken down near Urlingford, on the Tipperary/Kilkenny border, forcing the gang members to cram into the Passat.

When they eventually reached the home of Mr Mark and Mrs Emma Corcoran, at Burnchurch, near Killenaule, they tried to break open the front door using crowbars. Failing in this attempt they then broke the front living room double glazed window and on entering, then threatened and assaulted the couple using shotguns before then tying them up, ransacking the house and stealing cash and the other property.

The gang were arrested within six hours of this attack and charged last night with aggravated burglary. They will now appear in court again on November 28th next, having been refused bail.