Violent thieves have almost 200 convictions
A GANG who tied up and robbed a family in a terrifying ordeal have almost 200 previous convictions between them.
And two of the gang members tied up, assaulted and robbed three elderly siblings just six weeks after their raid on the family, a court heard.
Victims, the Garvey family, yesterday told of the impact of the appalling robbery, which has left them fearful in their own home.
The gang was armed with a sawn-off shotgun, a sledge hammer and a baseball bat when they attacked the family five years ago. Gerry Garvey, 60, was punched in the head and handcuffed, and had a gun put to his head.
The gang also tied up Ann Garvey and their four children. The thieves made off with $3,000 and £2,000stg.
In a victim impact statement, read out on their behalf, Mr Garvey said their lives had ‘changed dramatically’ as a result of the burglary. ‘Up to that point our home was a place of peace and tranquility,’ he wrote.
‘As a result of this horrible event, all of us feel constantly edgy and fearful, even within the confines of the house.’
His daughter Gillian, who was aged 14 at the time, wrote: ‘I still have a fear of going outside around the grounds of the house at night because I think somebody is watching me.’
Yesterday, three men convicted of the crime – including father and son, Patrick Roche, 53, and Philip Roche, 25, of Kilcronan Close, Clondalkin, Dublin – were remanded in custody after their sentencing was adjourned to November 24.
Both men had denied the aggravated burglary, as well as the false imprisonment of Gerry and Ann Garvey along with their four children, at Sunville House, Pallasgreen, Co. Limerick, on April 16, 2012. They, along with a third accused, Alan Freeman, 37, of Pearse Park, Tipperary Town, who also denied the charges, were all previously found guilty by a jury at Limerick Circuit Court.
At the sentencing yesterday, Patrick and Philip Roche were also remanded in custody for sentencing for a separate aggravated burglary in which they tied up and assaulted three elderly siblings at their home in Pallasgreen, six weeks after the attack at the Garveys’ home.
Sergeant Mike Reidy told the court that Willie Creed, 79, Nora Creed, 71, and Chrissie Creed, 77, were ‘subjected to serious violence’ during the burglary in which €5,000 in cash was stolen.
The court heard Patrick Roche has 139 previous convictions for which he is currently serving a 17year sentence. Philip Roche has 37 previous convictions including attempted robbery, assault, and theft. Alan Freeman has 22 previous convictions.