Father and son charged with violent burglary, false imprisonment

A father and son have appeared in court in Limerick charged in connection with a violent burglary and false imprisonment of three elderly siblings, and a separate aggravated robbery on a family.

Patrick Roche, (51) and Philip Roche (23), both of Kilcornan Close, Clondalkin, Dublin 22, were charged before Kilmallock District Court with one count of aggravated burglary and three counts of false imprisonment at the Creed family home on May 31st, 2012.

Willie Creed, (77), and his sisters Nora, (75) and Chrissie (69) were tied up and assaulted by an armed gang who broke into their rural home at Ballyluddy, Pallasgreen.

During a bail hearing for Philip Roche, Det Garda Michael Reidy alleged two masked raiders “burst into” the Creed’s home, armed with a knife and an iron bar.

“Chrissie (Creed) recalls one of the men hitting her on the head with an iron bar. Willie (Creed) received numerous stitches to his head,” Det Reidy said.

Patrick Roche was further charged with handling a stolen Volkswagen Touraeg used in the Creed robbery, and with handling a stolen Toyota Landcruiser, stolen from an industrial estate in Mallow on May 23rd, 2012.

William Gammell, from An Cúirt, Monard, Co Tipperary, who was the gang's getaway driver, was given a suspended five-year sentence in August 2014.

Patrick Roche was further charged with aggravated burglary and false imprisonment of the Garvey family at their home in Pallasgreen on April 16th, 2012.

Gerard Garvey, and his wife Ann, and their teenage son and daughter were tied up during the robbery at their home Sunville House, Pallasgreen. The Garvey’s other two children were also in the house at the time. Mr Garvey was threatened that he would be shot, the State will allege.

Philip Roche was further charged with aiding and abetting his father to carry out the burglary at the Garvey home. He was also charged with possession of a stolen BMW car used during the raid. He was also charged with intent to sell and possess €7,000 worth of cannabis during follow up garda searches.

The BMW was stolen during another aggravated burglary at a house at Killuragh, Cappamore, on April 13th, 2012, the court heard.

Alan Freeman, (35), of Pearse Park, Tipperary Town, 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.

Barrister Mark Ryan told the court he was not seeking bail for Patrick Roche. Philip Roche was denied bail.