Third man charged in connection with attempted armed robbery

A man was charged today in connection with an attempted armed robbery where staff members were tied up, at a gold and silver dealer's shop in Dublin in August.

He was the third person to be brought before the courts following a botched raid at the Bullion Room shop, on Bolton Street, on August 10 last.

Gary Byrne (aged 29), of Edenmore Crescent, Raheny, in north Dublin was charged today with two counts of false imprisonment of staff members Sharna Ragonesi and Pattabhi Ram, as well as attempted robbery and possessing an imitation firearm with intent to commit a robbery.

Detective Garda Brian Quirke told Judge Denis McLoughlin at the Dublin District Court that the defendant made “no reply” when he was cautioned following his arrest this morning.

Co-defendants Ian Jordan (aged 31), of Lanesborough Gardens, Finglas, Dublin and Aidan Murphy (aged 31) with an address at St Fanahan's Place, Mitchelstown, Co Cork, who are on bail and had been charged with the same offences earlier, were also before the court.

Det-Gda Quirke also said that the DPP had directed that the case should be sent forward for “trial on indictment”, which means it will be heard before a judge and jury at the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.

Judge McLoughlin granted bail in Mr Byrne's own bond of €1,990 on condition that he resides at his address, signs on daily at Santry garda station, surrenders his passport, stays away from the Bolton Street area and does not have any contact with the alleged injured parties.

Mr Byrne, who is unemployed, was granted legal aid and along with his co-defendants was remanded on bail to appear again on December 2 next when they are to be served with a book of evidence.