Five in court over attempted raid on bookies

Four of the five men involved in the attempted armed raid of a bookmaker in Dublin last week have been granted bail at Dun Laoghaire…

Four of the five men involved in the attempted armed raid of a bookmaker in Dublin last week have been granted bail at Dun Laoghaire District Court.

The fifth man's bail application has been deferred for one week.

Gardaí, who objected to the bail applications of all five men, told Dun Laoghaire District Court how the raiders were "caught red-handed" and how one "pointed a firearm" at a Garda.

Gerard Claxton (30), of 41 Whitestown Drive, Blanchardstown; Anthony Callaghan (35), of 162 Hazelbury Park, Blanchardstown; Anthony Lee (29), of 51 Fortlawn Ave, Blanchardstown and Eddie Farrell, of 24 De La Salle Court, Wicklow town, were all remanded on a cash bail bond of €10,000 with an independent surety of a further 10,000.

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Noel Boylan (31), of 102 Fortlawn Park, Blanchardstown, had his bail application deferred by Judge Patrick Clyne and was remanded in custody at Cloverhill prison until April 28th.

Judge Clyne deferred his bail application following representations from the gardaí who said that Mr Boylan would not remain at the address of his family home in Blanchardtown.

The five men were each arrested on three charges related to possession of a firearm; ammunition and attempted robbery of Chronicle bookmakers in Deansgrange on April 17th, just hours after the Irish Grand National in Fairyhouse.

Det Garda Donal Tully from the National Bureau of Criminal Investigation (NBCI) told the court that Mr Claxton was "caught red-handed" and "pointed a firearm at myself" during the attempted armed raid.

He also said in court that Mr Callaghan, who runs a

newsagent in Blanchardstown, was arrested at the scene of the robbery with "a number of implements."

Det Tully said a Mercedes stolen in Lucan was used in the attempted raid. The court heard that Mr Claxton works as a taxi driver and Mr Lee is on social welfare.

Judge Clyne granted bail on condition that the four men meet the bail bond; sign on twice daily at their local Garda station; surrender their passports; reside at their current address; remain with that jurisdiction and do not associate with each other unless in the presence of their legal advisors.