Three men charged in connection with an attempted armed robbery in Co Wicklow last May when a raider was shot dead by gardai have been refused bail at the Special Criminal Court.
The court was told that the three were part of a six-man armed gang which attempted to rob a Securicor van near Ashford on May 1st.
Det Insp John O'Mahony said yesterday he believed none of the three would turn up for trial if given bail.
The three are Mr Pascal Burke (34), of Marrowbone Lane, Dublin, Mr Saoirse Breatnach (19), of Cypress Court, Ballybrack, Dublin and Mr Danny McAllister (43), of Cromlech Fields, Ballybrack, Dublin.
They are charged with having an AKM Kalashnikov assault rifle, a pump action shotgun and a revolver with intent to endanger life at Cullenmore, Ashford, Co Wicklow on May 1st.
They are also charged with having the guns with intent to commit a robbery on the same date.
Det Insp O'Mahony opposed bail because of the seriousness of the charges, the weight of the evidence against the men and the sentences they would be likely to receive if convicted.
He said it would be alleged that Mr Breatnach was seen wearing a balaclava and carrying an AK47 rifle at the scene of the attempted robbery.
He allegedly dropped the rifle and ran away when approached by gardai and was arrested after a violent struggle.
The detective inspector said it would also be alleged that Mr McAllister was seen carrying an angle grinder that was going to be used to cut open the side of the security van.
He was arrested hiding in a ditch 20 minutes after the attempted robbery.
Det Insp O'Mahony said it would also be alleged that Mr Burke was in a white van parked two miles from the scene of the robbery and had been in contact by mobile phone and walkie-talkie with the gang.
The detective inspector said that Mr Ronan McLoughlin, who was shot dead by gardai during the raid, was found to be carrying a mobile phone and walkie-talkie.
Mr Justice Barr said the court accepted the detective inspector's evidence that the three men would not turn up for trial if they were given bail.
They were remanded in custody until July 29th.