Two appear on Athlone aggravated burglary charges

Two men have appeared in court in Athlone after being charged in connection with an aggravated burglary at a house in the town in the early hours of Thursday.

Leon Joyce (20) and Dylan Curran (20), both with separate addresses at Battery Heights, Athlone, are charged with aggravated burglary, contrary to Section 13 of the Criminal Justice Theft and Fraud Offences Act, and production of a knife, contrary to Section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act, on Thursday, July 2, at a property on St Peter’s Terrace, Athlone.

Both appeared in Athlone District Court this afternoon where Det Garda Eamon Cunnane gave evidence of arresting Leon Joyce this morning and charging him at Athlone Garda Station. The defendant made no reply when charged.

Det Garda Niall Cogavin gave evidence of arresting Dylan Curran this morning. He also made no reply when charged at Athlone Garda Station, the court was told.

Due to the ongoing legal aid dispute, neither defendant was legally represented in court and both made applications for bail on their own behalf.

Gardai objected to bail in each case, citing the seriousness of the alleged offences.

Det Garda Niall Cogavin said it would be alleged that the two defendants were armed with knives and entered the house through the back door at 4am on Thursday, July 2.

It's claimed that they entered the bedroom of a young male, shouting "where's the money?", before taking a Play Station console from the room. When the injured party attempted to stop them, it is alleged that Leon Joyce him and that he received knife wounds on the torso, back and arms.

When the young man’s mother entered the bedroom, she was punched in the face by Leon Joyce, Det Garda Cogavin alleged. He said Gardai would state that the two men then fled the scene with the Play Station, which had not been recovered.

Det Garda Cogavin said the two were identified by an injured party.

Arguing for the refusal of bail, the Garda said he feared the defendants could interfere with witnesses, and could commit further serious offences.

In submissions to the court, Leon Joyce said he was a vulnerable adult, with health issues, and sought to be remanded on bail.

Dylan Curran said he now lived in Ballygar, Galway, and would not be residing near the injured party. He said he had a three-year-old son who needed him.

He said there was no evidence before the court other than alleged identification by the injured party, and said it was not fair to be remanded in custody on that basis.

Judge Michael Connellan refused the applications for bail. He noted what he said were three "very compelling and significant" photos of injuries sustained by the injured party.

He remanded each defendant in custody to Cloverhill Prison to appear again, in person, at Athlone District Court on Wednesday, July 8.

Judge Connellan said he would permit another application for bail then, or at any stage going forward, in light of the fact the defendants had not been legally represented in court. He said he would not require a change in circumstances for the making of a fresh bail application.

Granting legal aid in each case, he also directed that appropriate medical treatment and assessment be given to both defendants while on remand.