A child held hostage by a gang during an aggravated burglary on the home of a Dundalk business family was able to escape and raise the alarm, it has emerged.

Gardaí in Co Louth are investigating an aggravated burglary at a house in Dundalk last night.

Three Co Louth men appeared in court today accused of attacking the referee at last year's controversial Leinster Senior Football final at Croke Park.