Two men charged in connection with an attempted rooftop bank raid were yesterday refused bail at Limerick District Court.
Mr Robert Barrett (35), Oakfield, Father Russell Road, Limerick, and Mr Danny Power (46), Ashe Avenue, John Carew Park, Limerick, were both charged with causing criminal damage to the roof of the AIB Bank in Castletroy, Limerick, on February 17th last.
Yesterday, the court heard that the two men were arrested by gardaí on the roof of the bank at 12.40 a.m. last Tuesday morning during a major Garda surveillance operation.
Outlining the State's objection to bail, Det Garda Eamon Curley said the two men were allegedly involved in a "military-style operation" that involved the use of high-powered industrial cutting and drilling equipment, some of which could cut through concrete and steel.
Garda Curley said the men had allegedly been found drilling into the roof of the bank inside a makeshift tent that had been specially soundproofed, and that a power source had been tapped into from the bank's ventilation system.
The court heard that there was a large number of holes in the concrete roof of the bank, which had been allegedly penetrated by the accused.
A scanner tuned into the Garda frequency and a walkie-talkie radio capable of allowing communication within a mile radius were also found at the scene, the court heard.
Judge John O'Neill was told that approximately €5,000 worth of damage was caused to the roof of the bank.
Garda Curley said he believed that the two accused men would commit further serious offences if granted bail.
The solicitor for the accused, Mr John Devane, told the court that both of his clients were willing to give an undertaking to stay away from each another, and would observe any curfew imposed by the court if they were granted bail.
But Judge John O'Neill said he had to take into account the evidence given by the State and accepted Garda Curley's "grave reservations".
The judge refused bail and remanded both accused in custody until February 25th, when they are due to re-appear before the court.