THREE men, previously charged with burglary at the homes of elderly people in the west, had more serious charges preferred against them in Athlone Court yesterday.
Mr David Meyers (25), of Harry's Lane, Athlone; Mr Peter McDonald (26), of Crystal Village, Athlone; and Mr Aidan Fallon (26), of Lecarrow, Co Roscommon, were charged with robbing Ms Catherine Dillon (70) of £739 on December 6th, 1995, and falsely imprisoning her by unlawfully detaining her against her will on the same date at Battybroughan, Lecarrow.
Five other charges of falsely imprisoning elderly people, three robbery charges and two charges of assault with intent to rob were also preferred against Mr Fallon.
Refusing an application for the charges against one of the accused men to be dismissed, Judge James O'Sullivan said: "There are old people involved in all of these cases and that is something I must bear in mind."
Evidence of arrest, charge and caution in the cases was given by Del Sgt Tom Fitzmaurice of Roscommon. All three men were remanded on bail to Athlone Court on July 15th.