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.