Sunville House in County Limerick
A FATHER and son charged in connection with a number of aggravated burglaries in County Limerick, have been returned for trial amid claims they are the “leading members of a criminal outfit”.
Patrick Roche (51) and his son Philip (23) appeared before Judge Marian O’Leary, on charges relating to the armed raids at Sunville House, Pallasgreen and at the Creed family home at Ballyluddy, Passlagreen where three elderly siblings were tied up on May 31, 2012.
It is alleged that Patrick Roche, of Kilcornan Close, Clondalkin, was part of the gang that terrorised families in County Limerick during a burglary spree in 2012.
He is charged with burglary at the Creed family home on May 31, 2012 when, according to Gardaí, Nora, Christina and William Creed were tied up and assaulted after an armed gang raided their house.
Patrick Roche also faces charges of aggravated burglary at Sunville House, Pallasgreen on April 16, 2012, the false imprisonment of Gerard Garvey, his wife Ann and three of their children Gillian, Grace and Graham.
He is also charged with handling a Volkswagen jeep that was stolen from an industrial estate in Mallow some days before the burglary at the Creed home and with handling a stolen Toyota Land Cruiser jeep at the Horse and Jockey in Tipperary in May 2012.
His son Philip was charged with aggravated burglary at the Creed home at Ballyluddy, Pallasgreen on May 31 and with the false imprisonment of Nora, Christina and William Creed.
Philip Roche was also charged with aiding and abetting his father and other gang members in the commission of the serious crime at Sunville House in Pallasgreen; the possession of a stolen BMW that was used in the Sunville House raid.
He is also facing two further charges relating to the alleged possession and intention to sell or supply €6,000 worth of cannabis that was found in a cooker when an address linked to the accused was searched by Gardaí.
At Limerick District Court this Thursday, Philip Roche sought bail after the substantial books of evidence were served to their counsel Kenny Kerins, BL.
Sgt Michael Reidy told the court that Gardai were objecting to bail given the serious nature of the “heinous crimes” alleged.
Mr Kerins said that his client would be “better able to defend the case if he was at liberty, even if he was under a self imposed house arrest”.
However Sgt Micahel Reidy said that there would be “no conditions of bail that would alleviate garda fears that the accused would interfere with witnesses.”
After considering the evidence, Judge Marian O’Leary refused bail to Philip Roche and sent the father and son forward for trial to the next sittings of Limerick Circuit Court.
