Four Limerick men have appeared in court in Ennis charged with burglary at the home of an elderly man outside the Clare town yesterday.
Three alleged burglars fled from the farmhouse at Ballyveskil, Tiermaclane when they discovered the man, who is in his 90s, asleep in the house.
Inspector Kieran Ruane said it will be the State case that one member of the group, John Woodland of Clarina Avenue, Ballinacurra Avenue lured Vincent O’Connor away from his home to a nearby field on the pretence of buying silage.
While John Woodland was speaking to Mr O’Connor, Patrick Woodland (43) and Edward Woodland (18), both of Greenmount Avenue, Ballinacurra Weston and Paul Kiely (30), of Glencairn, Dooradoyle forcibly entered the farmhouse.
Judge Mary Larkin was told that there was a garda surveillance operation in the area at the time.
After running from the farmhouse, the three were caught after a short foot chase in a nearby field. Gardaí also apprehended John Woodland,
Gardaí opposed bail for all four based on the strength of the evidence and the nature of the offence.
Judge Mary Larkin refused bail to brothers Patrick and John Woodland and remanded Edward Woodland, son of Patrick Woodland, and Paul Kiely in custody with consent to bail.
All four are due to appear before Ennis District Court again on Wednesday, January 10.
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