A FATHER AND son have appeared in court charged in connection with a violent burglary and the false imprisonment of three elderly siblings, and the separate aggravated robbery of a family-of-six.
Patrick Roche (51) of Kilcornan Close, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, and Philip Roche (23) of the same address, were each charged with one count of aggravated burglary, and three counts of false imprisonment, at the Creed family home in Ballyluddy, Pallasgreen, Co Limerick, on 31 May 2012.
Willie Creed (77), and his sisters Nora (75) and Chrissie (69), were assaulted by an armed gang who broke into their isolated home the court heard.
Patrick Roche was also charged with handling a stolen Volkswagen Touareg, allegedly used in the Creed robbery, and with handling a Toyota Landcruiser, stolen in Cork on 30 May 2012.
Iron bar
During a bail hearing for Philip Roche, Detective Garda Michael Reidy, stationed in Bruff, alleged two masked raiders “burst into” the Creeds’ home, armed with a knife and an iron bar.
“Chrissie recalls one of the men hitting her on the head with an iron bar. Willie received numerous stitches to his head,” Det Reidy told Kilmallock District Court.
Patrick Roche was further charged with aggravated burglary, and with the false imprisonment of the Garvey family at their home at Sunville House, Pallasgreen, on 16 April 2012.
Philip Roche, was charged with aiding and abetting his father carry out the burglary at the Garvey home, and with possession of a stolen BMW car, which gardaí allege was used in the burglary.
Cannabis
The 23-year old was also charged with possession of, and with intent to sell, nearly €7,000 worth of cannabis.
Det Reidy said four masked men entered the home of Gerry and Ann Garvey and their four young teenage children “armed with a sawn-off shotgun, a sledgehammer, and a baseball bat”.
Det Reidy alleged Gerry Garvey was handcuffed and threatened that he would be shot if he didn’t hand over keys to a safe.
A sum of cash was stolen by the raiders who, Det Reidy alleged, fled in a BMW car, which was stolen during another aggravated burglary at a house at Killuragh, Cappamore, Co Limerick on 13 April 2012, the court heard.
35-year-old Alan Freeman, of Pearse Park, Tipperary Town, also appeared before the court, charged with aggravated burglary at the house in Killuragh.
Mr Freeman was also charged with the false imprisonment of the occupant, Ian Cruise, and, with handling a stolen Toyota Landcruiser.
“Interfere with witnesses”
Det Reidy alleged Philip Roche is a “leading member of the Roche-Freeman criminal organisation”, which has “links across Tipperary, Limerick, Cork and Dublin”.
Det Reidy said he believed Philip Roche would “interfere with witnesses”, “commit further aggravated burglaries”, and “not show up for his trial”, if he was granted bail.
Defence barrister, Mark Lynam, acting for Connelly Ryan Solicitors, Dublin, described the claims as “unsubstantiated”.
Judge Marian O’Leary refused bail for Roche.
She remanded him, his father, and Mr Freeman in custody, to appear before Limerick District Court, via video link, on 21 March next.
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