New charges against seven men accused of aggravated burglary

New charges including false imprisonment and possession of firearms have been filed against seven men accused of “terrorising” a family during an aggravated burglary last year.

The men were in court on Thursday in Cashel, Co Tipperary, in relation to the original charge of aggravated burglary at the home of Mark and Emma Corcoran and their three daughters at Burnchurch, Killenaule, Co Tipperary, on November 21st last year.

The court heard each of the accused, who are from Dublin, has also been charged with false imprisonment of Mark Corcoran during the incident; possession of a shotgun and a handgun for the purposes of committing a crime; stealing a Subaru car in Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, on the night of the burglary; and stealing the Corcoran family's Kia Sorrento car.

All were in custody on Thursday night after those who had been granted bail last year were refused bail in relation to the new charges.

Those charged are John Joyce (19) of The Donaghies, Donaghmede, Dublin; Patrick Joyce (21) of Beaumont Hall, Beaumont Woods, Dublin 9; Michael McDonagh (22) of Tara Lawns, Belcamp Lane, Coolock, Dublin 17; Thomas Flynn (19) of Moatview Avenue, Coolock, Dublin 17; Donal O'Hara (21) of Glin Park, Coolock, Dublin 17; Dean Byrne (21) of Cabra Park, Dublin 7; and Patrick Gately (26) of Primrose Grove, Darndale, Dublin 17.

Det Sgt James White told the court the seven men left Dublin on the night of November 21st, 2013, for the purposes of carrying out an aggravated burglary and arrived at the Corcorans' home. "They proceeded to terrorise the family," he said.

Mark Corcoran was assaulted and suffered a broken nose and fractured eye socket while the gang also made threats before leaving with some money and jewellery. They were later arrested by gardaí, after they fled in two vehicles, including the Corcoran’s family car.

A 999 call was made from the house during the burglary and in a recording of it, Det White said, the “terrorised screams” of the children could be heard.

John Joyce was granted bail by the court on November 28th, but that bail was revoked on Thursday by Judge Terence Finn. Patrick Joyce, Michael McDonagh and Donal O'Hara, who had also been on bail, were refused bail yesterday in relation to the new charges and remanded in custody.