Three men charged in relation to burglaries

GARDAI have charged three men in an operation targeting organised burglary gangs.

The men were arrested near Kinnegad, Westmeath on Friday evening following a number of burglaries earlier in the day in Sligo and Leitrim, including breaking into the home of a 96-year-old woman in the village of Collooney.

At around 2pm, gardaí disturbed a number of intruders at the pensioner’s home.

The intruders managed to escape in a car and details of the incident were circulated to officers nationwide. Special crime units assigned to Operation Thor (a garda operation specifically targeting burglary gangs), supported by the garda helicopter, stopped a car on the M4 near Kinnegad shortly before 5pm.

Three of the occupants of the car were arrested. They were brought to Ballymote Garda Station for questioning and later to a special sitting at Carrick on Shannon District Court.

James Connors (22), Thomas Connors (25) and Patrick McCarthy (37) were charged with burglary and possession of stolen property. Gardai objected to bail and they were remanded in custody to Castlerea prison.