Brother and sister charged with aggravated burglary

A brother and sister have been remanded in custody following two aggravated burglaries at the homes of elderly residents in the Ballyjamesduff area last Sunday in which gardaí believe a firearm was used, writes Martin Shannon.
Liam (27) and Gemma (33) Deegan, of no fixed abode, appeared before a sitting of Virginia District Court yesterday morning (Tuesday) where both were refused bail by Judge Denis McLoughlin.
They were each charged with two counts of aggravated burglary after it’s alleged they entered the home of an 83-year-old woman, threatened her with a gun and made off with jewellery and cash; and minutes later, they are accused of entering the home of a 90-year-old man, threatening him, and taking cash from the property.
At the time of yesterday’s hearing, the court heard that the 90-year-old man was still being treated in hospital following the alleged incident.
Garda Jerome Crawford gave evidence in relation to the charges against Liam Deegan. He told the court that, he believed, on two separate occasions, the suspect had entered the homes of the two elderly people in question. Gda Crawford stated that Mr Deegan entered the houses with a handgun and stole property. The garda said that the defendant had assaulted the 90-year-old male, though, as of yet, Mr Deegan has not been charged with assault.

Rammed patrol cars
After the alarm was raised by a neighbour, the pair were intercepted by gardaí near Virginia. Mr Deegan was driving a silver Ford Focus and, it was stated in court yesterday, that he had rammed two Garda patrol cars before being apprehended, arrested and brought to Bailieborough Garda Station.
The court heard that the gardaí believe that a firearm was used in the burglaries though it has not yet been located. Gda Crawford told the judge that he believes Mr Deegan is aware where it is but has not disclosed that location to gardaí.

 

‘Caught red handed’
Garda Cathal Mugan gave evidence in relation to the charges against Gemma Deegan. He stated that she too is charged with two counts of aggravated burglary arising from the same alleged incidents.

He told the court that she was a passenger in the car that rammed the two Garda patrol cars and she was “caught red handed” with some of the items of stolen property in her handbag.
Gda Mugan also told the court that he believed firearms were used in the commission of the alleged crimes.
The court also heard that Ms Deegan was a heroin addict and had received medical treatment while in custody.
Solicitor Damien Rudden represented both defendants.
Following a bail heating, Liam Deegan was remanded to appear at Cloverhill District Court this Friday; while his sister Gemma was remanded in custody to appear at Cavan District Court, also this Friday.
If found guilty of the charges of aggravated burglary, both face maximum sentences of life in prison.