Two men were last night remanded in custody after they appeared at a special court sitting charged in connection with the imprisonment of a family in Cork city earlier this week.
Gerard Clarke (37) and Edward Gaffey (33) were each charged with four offences arising out of an incident at the home of the O'Donovan family in Rochestown in Cork.
Mr Clarke and Mr Gaffey were each charged with the false of imprisonment of Gary O'Donovan and his wife, Katie at their home at Dewberry, Mount Oval Village, Rochestown, Cork.
The two men were also each charged with possession of six rounds of .45 calibre ammunition with intent to endanger life at the same address on May 2nd to May 3rd. They were further charged with possessing a Colt 45 revolver with intent to commit an indictable offence, namely false imprisonment on the same occasion. Security was tight last night at Cork District Court as both men were brought before the court at 9pm.
Arresting officers Det Garda Joe Young and Det Garda John McDonagh told the court that neither man made any reply when of the four charges were put to them after caution.
Judge Uinsinn Mac Gruairc granted free legal aid to Mr Clarke, of 2 St John's Terrace, Cork, and to Mr Gaffey, of Clontygora Court, Dundalk, after applications from their solicitors.
Insp John O'Brien said gardaí were seeking a remand in custody. Solicitors for the accused said that they were not applying for bail at this stage but were reserving their positions. Judge Mac Gruairc remanded both men in custody at Cork Prison to appear again at Cork District Court this morning at 10.30.