Three men face burglary charges in Kildare

THREE men who came up to allegedly burgle homes in south Kildare that left an elderly man injured and bereft of €9,000, saw two of them remanded back into custody, and one remanded on continuing bail.

Andrew Cash (29) of Ardristan Heights, Tullow, Co Carlow, and Niall Byrne (30), Flat 1, Harney’s Takeaway, Ballyedmond, Co Wexford both appeared at Naas District Court by videolink from custody, whilst the third, Johnny Berry (38), of Graigowen, Tullow appeared in person.

All three were charged with trespass, theft and assault causing harm at two addresses at Ballitore, Athy on 27 January last.

Sergeant Mary Meade admitted that though the case was mentioned for ‘directions’ there were none yet from the DPP’s office, as this was “a fairly recent file”.

“It is alleged they attempted to break into one address in Ballitore, and when unsuccessful, chose another next door “where an elderly man lived”.

“They punched him in the face, and €9,000 was taken,” said the sergeant.

“I remember this,” said Judge Desmond Zaidan. “He was in hospital for a few days.”

“This is a very serious allegation. He found it difficult to breathe after they were kneeling on his chest,” recalled the judge from the initial arraignment.

While Mr Cash was remanded in custody, his barrister reminded the court that “you have a High Court bail application tomorrow”, after he had been refused bail recently by Judge Zaidan. Mr Byrne was then remanded on continuing bail for another two weeks until 19 March on these charges, although remains in custody on other, unrelated charges.

“What happens then?” asked Byrne.

“We could look for a strike out,” suggested Mr Craddock optimistically.

“That’s what I want,” shouted Mr Byrne on screen.

“Mr Byrne, you’ve got a very good barrister, but he can’t work magic, and must work within the law,” smiled the judge.

“If you do get bail, you will have to turn up here (on 19 March) yourself,” said the judge.

“Thanks, your honour,” said Mr Byrne.

All three will return to court in one way or another on 19 March.