Four Men Charged After Garda Burglary Operation on M50 and West Dublin

Four men appeared at Dublin District Court after a major Garda containment operation on the M50 and in Chapelizod. House-breaking tools and false plates were found in a silver Volvo S40.

Garda Air Support and Specialist Units Deployed in Managed Containment Operation

Four men have been charged with burglary-related offences following a major Garda operation that began on the M50 at around 10.30am on Thursday and extended into west Dublin, including the Chapelizod area, Google News IE — Crime (en) reports.

Officers from specialist and plain-clothes Garda units moved to stop a silver Volvo S40 as part of what investigators described as a managed containment operation. The vehicle and its occupants had already been of interest to Gardaí in connection with a number of burglaries and related incidents across the country. The Garda Air Support Unit helicopter was also deployed as searches continued in Chapelizod.

It is understood some of those being pursued fled on foot from officers. One man entered the River Liffey in an attempt to evade Gardaí.

A search of the Volvo later uncovered house-breaking implements, gloves and face coverings. The car was also displaying false registration plates and is believed to have been linked to burglaries in Dublin, Kildare, Laois and Kilkenny.

All four men were charged and appeared separately at a special sitting of Dublin District Court on Thursday evening. They were remanded on bail and will return to court on separate dates in the coming weeks.

John Cash, 24, Gorey, Co Wexford — 14 charges

Cash faces the most extensive list of charges, including four burglary offences, three counts of dangerous driving, endangerment, using false registration plates, failing to stop for Gardaí, failing to remain at the scene of a road collision, and obstructing a Garda officer. He is also accused of possessing a screwdriver and a false registration plate for use in burglary under Section 15 of the Criminal Justice (Theft and Fraud Offences) Act 2001.

Garda Tom Pemberton, of the Dublin Crime Response Team, objected to bail. Judge Peter White granted bail on a €750 bond, subject to conditions including a curfew, daily signing-on at Gorey Garda Station, and a requirement that Cash stay out of Dublin, Kildare, Laois and Kilkenny. He was also ordered not to leave the jurisdiction or apply for travel documents.

Hugh Cash, 50, Tallaght — 3 charges

John Cash's father, Hugh Cash, also appeared before the court. He faces two charges relating to possession of articles intended for use in burglary or theft and one obstruction charge. He was granted bail with conditions including a 10pm curfew, daily signing-on at Tallaght Garda Station and no contact with his co-accused.

Luke Wall, 23, Tallaght — 8 charges

Wall faces four burglary offences, two charges of possessing articles intended for use in burglary, and one count of theft. He was granted bail subject to a 10pm curfew, daily signing-on, no contact with co-accused or injured parties and a prohibition on leaving the jurisdiction.

Wall appeared without legal representation. The court heard he had been represented during his detention and Garda interviews but had no solicitor present due to an ongoing dispute between solicitors and the Department of Justice. Judge White remarked: "I note a solicitor was in custody but has not come to court. I thought this [free legal aid] dispute had led to the withdrawal of all services... this is most unfortunate." Wall is due back before the court on Friday 28 August.

Michael Moorehouse McCarthy, 23, Shankill, Co Dublin — 3 charges

The fourth accused faces two charges of possessing articles intended for use in burglary and one count of trespass. He was granted bail with conditions including daily signing-on at Shankill Garda Station, a 10pm curfew and a ban on leaving the jurisdiction. He is due to return to court next Friday.

Gardaí have appealed for information about the movements of the silver Volvo S40. The vehicle can be identified by a dark grey driver's-side wing mirror and a yellow tax disc holder in the windscreen. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Dublin Crime Response Team on 01 666 9896, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111 or any Garda station.

Source: Google News IE — Crime (en)