Couple weep over art theft charge

A MIDDLE-AGED couple, who wept as a court heard charges connected to the handling of paintings stolen from a stately home, were released on bail yesterday

The couple, Thomas and Noeleen Hughes, from Deansrath Road in Clondalkin, Dublin, were released after elderly relatives promised independent sureties of 1,500 each.

Mr Hughes, a 52-year-old labourer, is accused of handling five paintings, part of the Beit collection stolen from Russborough House in Co Wicklow in September.

His 45-year-old wife Noeleen, a shop assistant, was charged with knowing the artworks were stolen or being reckless to the fact.

The paintings were discovered in the attic of the couple's house following a raid by gardaí on Friday evening and they first appeared before Dublin District Court on Saturday night. They both wept in the dock as the charges were read out.

At yesterday's bail hearing, Mr Hughes' aunt, Harriet Whelan, from Crumlin in South Dublin, told the same court that she understood the conditions under which she was providing surety, including the threat that she would lose the 1,500 if her nephew did not turn up for future court appearances. Mrs Hughes' mother, Frances McNevin, from Walkinstown, gave similar assurances.

Judge William Hamill said he was refusing jurisdiction in the case given the seriousness of the charges.

The couple will appear before Kilmainham Court on February 17 when a book of evidence is expected to be handed over. The case will be heard before the higher Circuit Court. Their solicitor told the court that the couple had never been in trouble before and were not the principals in the theft of the art.